Legal Ages in the UK
The age you become an adult in the UK, and the legal ages for voting, driving, drinking alcohol and marriage, with the exceptions that matter.
Age of majority in the UK
18You are an adult at 18. In Scotland most legal capacity, such as signing contracts, starts at 16.
Voting age in the UK
18 / 16You can vote at 18 in UK Parliament elections. In Scotland and Wales 16-year-olds can vote in Scottish Parliament, Senedd and council elections. A bill to lower the voting age to 16 for all UK elections is going through Parliament.
Driving age in the UK
17You can drive a car at 17 with a provisional licence and L plates, then take the test. You can apply for the provisional licence at 15 years and 9 months. People who get the higher rate mobility part of PIP can drive at 16.
Drinking age in the UK
18You must be 18 to buy alcohol. At 16 or 17 you can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal in a pub or restaurant if an adult buys it and you are with them (in Scotland you can buy it yourself).
Marriage age in the UK
18 / 16The minimum age is 18 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with no exceptions since 2023. In Scotland you can marry at 16 without your parents’ consent.
Checked 22 October 2026 against national laws and government sites. Laws change and this is a summary, not legal advice; check with the authority that applies to you. Recent changes checked against: GOV.UK: Applying for your first provisional driving licence; GOV.UK: Alcohol and young people; House of Commons Library: Representation of the People Bill.
Age calculator
Your exact age today, and the date you turn 16, 18 or 21.
Emergency numbers in the UK
Police, ambulance and fire numbers, plus helplines.
UK bank holidays 2026
Every holiday with its date and long weekends.
Legal ages in the UK: questions and answers
At what age are you an adult in the UK?
You are an adult at 18. In Scotland most legal capacity, such as signing contracts, starts at 16.
What is the voting age in the UK?
You can vote at 18 in UK Parliament elections. In Scotland and Wales 16-year-olds can vote in Scottish Parliament, Senedd and council elections. A bill to lower the voting age to 16 for all UK elections is going through Parliament.
What is the legal driving age in the UK?
You can drive a car at 17 with a provisional licence and L plates, then take the test. You can apply for the provisional licence at 15 years and 9 months. People who get the higher rate mobility part of PIP can drive at 16.
What is the legal drinking age in the UK?
You must be 18 to buy alcohol. At 16 or 17 you can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal in a pub or restaurant if an adult buys it and you are with them (in Scotland you can buy it yourself).
What is the legal age for marriage in the UK?
The minimum age is 18 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with no exceptions since 2023. In Scotland you can marry at 16 without your parents’ consent.
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