Now 18 is the crucial age.But what does becoming an adult mean?What rights do you get at 18 that you didn't have before? One of the most frequently pointed out ironies is that you can join the Army,Air Force or Navy at the age of 16(or 17 if you are a woman) but you are not entitled to vote.This privilege only comes at the age of 18.
Smoking,drinking and going to the pub is a complex piece of law.The familiar RU 18(are you 18?) sign can be seen in pubs.That means you have to be 18 before you can buy and drink alcohol in a bar.Between the ages of 14 and 16 you can go to a pub but you can only consume soft drinks.In Britain you must show your identity card.
The law states that children may work from the ages of 13 onwards provided that:
a.it is a part-time job
b.it doesn't take place in school hours
c.it doesn't involve lifting or carrying anything heavy.
Of course,most people start full-time employment at the age of 16 which is the school-leaving age.Nobody can leave school before their sixteenth birthday.
You can drive a car at the age of 17,a moped at 16 but you must wait until 21 to drive a bus or lorry.