Maryland Legal Ages

Legal ages in Maryland

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 only if the child outgrows the rear-facing seat.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Transp. § 22-412.2(d)(2)

2. Age 5

   • Must be enrolled in school

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

     A parent may delay a 5-year-old for one year for maturity.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Educ. 7-301(a-1)(1)

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.

     Earlier once the child is 4 feet 9 inches tall.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Transp. § 22-412.2(d)(1)

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)

     Maryland bars employment of minors under 14, except as the child labor law allows.

     Exceptions include some casual work, entertainment and work for a parent.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 3-209

5. Age 15 and 9 months

   • Can get a learner's permit

     Maryland issues a learner's instructional permit at 15 and 9 months.

     Applicants under 16 must show a school attendance record; driver education is required.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Transp. § 16-103(c)(1)

6. 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 pre-register to vote

     Maryland lets eligible residents pre-register to vote at 16; they can vote once they turn 18.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Elec. Law § 3-102(a)

7. Age 16 and 6 months

   • Can get a first license to drive alone

     A provisional license for driving alone is available at 16 and 6 months after nine months with a permit.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Transp. §§ 16-103(c)(2), 16-105

8. Age 17

   • Lowest marriage age with parent or court consent

     With a parent's consent or a court order, the lowest age to marry is 17.

     Under 17 cannot marry.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Fam. Law 2-301(a),(b); 2-405(c); 5-2A-01 to 5-2A-04; 2022 Md. Laws ch. 175 (HB 83)

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

     Maryland lets 17-year-olds vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the general election.

     Under-18 voters may not vote in any other election.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Elec. Law § 3-102(a)(2)

9. Age 18

   • Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends)

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

     The parent's legal duty in § 7-301(c) still covers children under 16, but the child's attendance requirement runs to 18.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Educ. 7-301(a-1)(1)

   • No work permit needed

     Maryland employers must have a work permit on file for each worker under 18; a parent or guardian applies online.

     Some activities listed in § 3-203 fall outside the permit rule.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. §§ 3-201, 3-205

   • 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)

     Provisional license hour limits and supervision rules expire at 18.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Transp. § 16-113(d)(4)

   • Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent

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

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Gen. Prov. § 1-401(a) (age of majority); COMAR 10.06.01.06H(1)(a)

   • Becomes a legal adult (age of majority)

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

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Gen. Prov. § 1-401(a)

   • Can make a will

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

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Est. & Trusts 4-102(a)

   • Can marry without a parent's consent

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

     The marriage statute sets exceptions only below the age of majority.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Gen. Prov. § 1-401(a) (age of majority; the marriage statute states only the under-majority exceptions)

   • 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.

     Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. 8-103(a) requires a juror to be an adult on the day selected.

     Maryland law · Maryland Judiciary, Jury Service FAQ #3

   • 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)

     Maryland tries people charged with a crime in adult court by default from age 18; younger defendants start in juvenile court.

     A juvenile court can transfer some younger defendants to adult court for serious offenses.

     Maryland law · Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-8A-01(d)

   • Can buy a lottery ticket

     State lottery tickets may not be sold to minors; in Maryland a minor is anyone under 18.

     The age of majority is 18 (Md. Code, Gen. Prov. § 1-401(a)).

     Maryland law · Md. Code, State Gov't § 9-124(b)(4)

10. 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)

    • Adult adoptee can get the original birth certificate

      An adult adoptee can request a copy of the original birth certificate from age 21.

      Maryland law · Md. Code, Fam. Law 5-3A-42(d)

    • 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)

11. 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

12. Age 30

    • Can serve as governor

      Maryland's constitution requires the governor to be at least 30 years old.

      Maryland law · Md. Const. art. II, § 5

    • 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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.

      The request is made in writing to the jury commissioner.

      Maryland law · Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 8-306(1)

18. 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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