District of Columbia Legal Ages

Legal ages in District of Columbia

1. Age 2

   • Rear-facing car seat age requirement ends

     The law requires a rear-facing seat until age 2; after that a child may ride forward-facing.

     Earlier once the child weighs 40 pounds or measures 40 inches.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 50-1703(a)

2. Age 5

   • Must be enrolled in school

     D.C. requires children to attend school, or approved private or home instruction, from age 5.

     Applies to children who turn 5 on or before September 30.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 38-202(a)

3. Age 8

   • Car seat or booster age requirement ends

     The child car seat or booster requirement ends at age 8; after that a seat belt can be used.

     A seat belt or restraint is then required until 16.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 50-1703(b)

4. Age 14

   • Can work limited hours in non-hazardous jobs (federal rule)

     Federal law lets 14- and 15-year-olds work in permitted non-hazardous jobs, outside school hours and within weekly hour limits.

     Limits: no more than 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week; 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week when school is out; only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day) (29 C.F.R. 570.35).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can work (state minimum age)

     The District of Columbia bars work by minors under 14 in any gainful occupation.

     Exceptions: household or farm work for a parent, and newspaper delivery or sales from age 10.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 32-201

5. Age 16

   • Can work any non-hazardous job (federal rule)

     At 16, the general federal minimum working age applies: any job except those the Labor Department declares hazardous.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can get a learner's permit

     D.C. issues a learner's permit for supervised driving at 16.

     Permit holders drive only with a licensed driver 21 or older and only between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 50-1401.01(a)(2)

   • Can get a tattoo with a parent's consent

     From 16, a person can be tattooed with a parent's or legal guardian's written consent.

     Other body art (except ear piercing) is barred under 18.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 47-2853.76e(b)(2)

   • Can pre-register to vote

     The District of Columbia lets eligible residents pre-register to vote at 16; they can vote once they turn 18.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 1-1001.07(a-2)

6. Age 16 and 6 months

   • Can get a first license to drive alone

     A provisional permit for driving alone is available at 16 and 6 months after six months on a learner permit.

     Requires a learner permit held at least six months, no point offenses in the last six months and 40 hours of certified driving.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 50-1401.01(a)(2A)

7. Age 17

   • Can vote in a primary if 18 by the general election

     The District of Columbia lets 17-year-olds vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the general election.

     DC also lets them vote in any election on or after their 17th birthday if they will be 18 by the next general election.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 1-1001.07(a-2)

8. Age 18

   • Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends)

     D.C.'s compulsory attendance requirement ends at the 18th birthday.

     A student who has earned a high school diploma or equivalent is exempt earlier.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 38-202(a)

   • No work permit needed

     Employers in the District of Columbia must keep a work or vacation permit on file for each worker under 18.

     Farm work and housework for a parent are exempt.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 32-207

   • Can work in jobs federal law calls hazardous

     At 18, the federal bar on jobs the Labor Department declares hazardous for minors ends for non-farm work.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Teen license limits end (varies, see rule)

     Drivers under 18 face passenger limits and late-night driving bans even with a full license.

     A full license needs six months on a provisional permit, as early as about 17, but the under-18 limits still apply.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 50-1401.01(a)(1)(D)

   • Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent

     From 18, a person can be tattooed without a parent's consent.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 47-2853.76e(b)

   • Becomes a legal adult (age of majority)

     State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 46-101

   • Can make a will

     A person of sound mind can make a valid will at 18.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code 18-102

   • Can marry without a parent's consent

     A person can marry without a parent's or court's consent at 18.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code 46-411; 46-403; D.C. Law 25-311

   • Can vote

     The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to vote at 18 in every federal, state and local election.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. amend. XXVI, § 1

   • Must register with Selective Service (men)

     Men 18 through 25 who are U.S. citizens or live in the United States must register with the Selective Service System.

     Men admitted on a nonimmigrant visa are exempt while they keep that status (50 U.S.C. 3802(a)).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 50 U.S.C. § 3802(a)

   • Can be called for state jury service

     A person can be called for state jury service from age 18.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 11-1906(b)(1); § 11-1902(10)

   • Can be called for federal jury service

     Federal courts may call U.S. citizens 18 or older who have lived in the judicial district for a year.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1)

   • Charged as an adult by default (juvenile court age ends)

     The District of Columbia tries people charged with a crime in adult court by default from age 18; younger defendants start in Family Court.

     16- and 17-year-olds charged by the U.S. Attorney with murder, first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree burglary or armed robbery are excluded and tried as adults.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 16-2301(3)

   • Can buy a lottery ticket

     District law bars anyone under 18 from wagering in authorized gambling, including the DC Lottery.

     District of Columbia law · D.C. Code § 36-601.34

9. Age 21

   • Can drive a commercial truck across state lines

     Federal rules require drivers of commercial vehicles in interstate commerce to be at least 21.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(1)

   • Can buy tobacco or vapes

     Federal law bars any retailer from selling cigarettes, vapes or other tobacco products to anyone under 21, in every state.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 21 U.S.C. § 387f(d)(5)

   • Can buy alcohol

     Federal highway funding law withholds funds from any state that lets anyone under 21 buy alcohol or possess it in public, so every state sets 21.

     Federal rules let states exempt possession (not purchase) for a religious purpose, with a parent, spouse or legal guardian 21 or older, for medical use, in private clubs, or in lawful employment (23 C.F.R. 1208.3).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 23 U.S.C. § 158(a)

   • Under-21 credit card limits end (no cosigner or independent income needed)

     Under 21, a card issuer may open a credit card only with a cosigner or proof that you can repay on your own.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 15 U.S.C. § 1637(c)(8)

10. Age 25

    • Can serve in the U.S. House

      The Constitution sets 25 as the minimum age for the U.S. House of Representatives.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. I, § 2, cl. 2

11. Age 30

    • Can serve in the U.S. Senate

      The Constitution sets 30 as the minimum age for the U.S. Senate.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. I, § 3, cl. 3

12. Age 35

    • Can serve as President

      The Constitution sets 35 as the minimum age for President.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. II, § 1, cl. 5

13. Age 62

    • Can start Social Security retirement benefits (reduced)

      Social Security retirement benefits can start at 62, permanently reduced.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · SSA, Retirement Benefits: Benefit reduction for early retirement

14. Age 65

    • Eligible for Medicare by age

      Medicare hospital insurance by age begins at 65 for people entitled, or who would be entitled, to Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · 42 U.S.C. § 426(a)

15. Age 67

    • Full Social Security retirement age (born 1960 or later)

      Full Social Security retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · SSA, Full Retirement and Age 62 Benefit By Year Of Birth

16. Age 70

    • Can ask to be excused from jury service because of age

      From age 70, a person can ask to be excused from jury service because of age.

      District of Columbia law · D.C. Courts, About Your Jury Duty (Request a Deferral or to be Excused)

17. Age 73

    • Retirement-account minimum withdrawals begin

      Required minimum distributions from traditional retirement accounts begin at 73 for people who turn 72 after 2022.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)(9)(C)(v)

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