Oklahoma Legal Ages

Legal ages in Oklahoma

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 if the child reaches the rear-facing seat's weight or height limit.

     Oklahoma law · 47 O.S. § 11-1112(A)(1)

2. Age 5

   • Must be enrolled in school

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

     A parent may hold a 5-year-old out of kindergarten until the year after the child turns 6.

     Oklahoma law · 70 Okla. Stat. 10-105(A)-(B)

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 taller than 4 feet 9 inches.

     Oklahoma law · 47 O.S. § 11-1112(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)

     Oklahoma sets 14 as the minimum age for most employment.

     Farm work, work for a parent and newspaper delivery are exempt.

     Oklahoma law · 40 O.S. § 71; Okla. Dept. of Labor

5. Age 16

   • No work permit needed

     In Oklahoma, a parent or guardian must give the employer an age and schooling certificate before a child under 16 starts work.

     Oklahoma law · 40 O.S. § 77

   • 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

     Oklahoma issues a learner permit at 16 to teens who have not taken driver education.

     At 15, a teen enrolled in an approved driver education course can get a learner permit.

     Oklahoma law · 47 O.S. § 6-105(C); Service Oklahoma

   • Can get a first license to drive alone

     An intermediate license for driving alone is available at 16 after 180 days with a permit and driver education.

     Without driver education the minimum is 16 and 6 months.

     Oklahoma law · 47 O.S. § 6-105(D); Service Oklahoma

6. Age 17 and 6 months

   • Can pre-register to vote

     Oklahoma accepts voter registration applications from 17 and 6 months; registration takes effect at 18.

     Oklahoma law · 26 O.S. § 4-103(B)

7. Age 18

   • Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends)

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

     From 16, a student may be excused by written joint agreement of the school administrator and parent.

     Oklahoma law · 70 Okla. Stat. 10-105(A)-(B)

   • 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)

     Oklahoma graduated license rules govern drivers under 18 until they qualify for a full license.

     A Class D license is available after one year on an intermediate license, or a shorter period with both driver education and parent-certified training; a traffic conviction restarts the period (47 O.S. § 6-105(E)).

     Oklahoma law · 47 O.S. § 6-105(A)

   • Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent

     Tattooing is allowed from 18; the ban on tattooing minors ends at that age.

     Oklahoma law · 21 Okla. Stat. § 842.1(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.

     Oklahoma law · 15 O.S. § 13

   • Can make a will

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

     The statute says "over the age of eighteen (18) years."

     Oklahoma law · 84 O.S. 41

   • Can marry without a parent's consent

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

     Oklahoma law · 43 O.S. 3(A)

   • Adult adoptee can get the original birth certificate

     An adult adoptee can request a copy of the original birth certificate from age 18.

     For adoptions after November 1, 1997, unless a birth parent has filed an affidavit of nondisclosure.

     Oklahoma law · 10 O.S. 7505-6.6

   • 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.

     38 O.S. 28(B) makes jurors anyone with the qualifications of an elector; the jury source list (38 O.S. 18) draws on residents 18 and older.

     Oklahoma law · 38 O.S. 18

   • 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)

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

     Some serious offenses, including murder, can be charged in adult court or under the Youthful Offender Act.

     Oklahoma law · 10A O.S. § 2-1-103

   • Can buy a lottery ticket

     State law bars selling lottery tickets to anyone under 18.

     Oklahoma law · 3A O.S. § 723

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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

11. Age 31

    • Can serve as governor

      Oklahoma's constitution requires the governor to be at least 31 years old.

      Oklahoma law · Okla. Const. art. VI, § 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.

      The statute covers persons over seventy, who cannot be compelled to serve.

      Oklahoma law · 38 O.S. § 28(B)

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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