• You can leave school at the end of the summer term after your 16th birthday.
• You can buy cigarettes.
• You can get married (with your parents' permission in England and Wales; without your parents' permission in Scotland).
• You can legally have sex with someone of the opposite sex.
• You can buy a National Lottery ticket or a Scratch Card.
• You can apply for a licence to ride a moped (50cc or less) or drive an agricultural tractor.
• You can join the Royal Navy when you have left school.
• You can join the Army at 16 years and 9 months.
• You can join some branches of the Royal Air Force.
• You can join a Modern Apprenticeship or youth training scheme if you have left school.
• You may be entitled to some state benefits (in exceptional circumstances).
• You can apply for a Young Person's Railcard.

 

At 17 you can also ...

• You can apply for a licence to drive a car or a motorcycle (125cc or less)
• You can apply for officer training with the RAF when you are 171.
• You can join a Modern Apprenticeship or youth training scheme if you have left school.

 

At 18 you can also ...

• You can vote in general and local elections.
• You can get married without your parents' permission.
• You can buy and drink alcohol in a pub.
• You can buy alcohol from an off-licence.
• You can buy fireworks.
• You can apply for a credit card.
• You can apply for a mortgage.
• You can apply for a licence to drive a medium sized good vehicle.
• You can apply for an ISIC Card (International Student Identity Card) if you are still in full-time education. This entitles you to a number of student concessions (in shops, on buses, on trains, at sport and leisure events, etc.)
• You can start a 'New Deal into Work' scheme through your local JobCentre.
• You may be eligible to apply for a grant or loan from the Prince's Youth Business Trust if you are setting up in business.
• You can apply for some state benefits.

 

At 21 you can also...

• You can apply for a licence to drive a motorcycle (over 125cc).
• You can apply for a licence to drive a heavy goods vehicle or a bus with more than 8 seats.

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