Pennsylvania Legal Ages
The key age-based rights and duties in Pennsylvania, with the law or official source behind each one: driving, work, school, tattoos, marriage, voting, jury service and more. Add a birth date to see which ages are reached and what comes next. It runs in your browser; nothing is stored.
Sources checked on October 21, 2026.
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Legal ages in Pennsylvania
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.
Pennsylvania law · 75 Pa.C.S. § 4581(a)(1)(ii)
Age 6
Must be enrolled in school
Pennsylvania requires children to attend school, or approved private or home instruction, from age 6.
Starts when the parents enroll the child, no later than age 6.
Pennsylvania law · 24 P.S. § 13-1326
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.
From 8 to 17, a seat belt is required.
Pennsylvania law · 75 Pa.C.S. § 4581(a)(1.1)
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)
Pennsylvania bars employment of anyone under 14, with narrow exceptions.
Exceptions include performers, newspaper carriers and some farm work.
Pennsylvania law · 43 P.S. § 40.3(c) (Child Labor Act § 3(c))
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
Pennsylvania issues a learner's permit for supervised driving at 16.
Pennsylvania law · PennDOT Driver's Manual, learner permit
Age 16 and 6 months
Can get a first license to drive alone
A junior driver's license for driving alone is available after six months with a permit, so from 16 and 6 months.
Requires 65 hours of certified practice driving, 10 at night and 5 in bad weather.
Pennsylvania law · 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1503(c), 1505(e); PennDOT Driver's Manual ch. 1
Age 18
Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends)
Pennsylvania's compulsory attendance requirement ends at the 18th birthday.
A high school graduate is not of compulsory school age.
Pennsylvania law · 24 P.S. § 13-1326
No work permit needed
Workers under 18 in Pennsylvania need a school-issued work permit.
Farm work, domestic service in the parent's home and babysitting are excluded.
Pennsylvania law · Child Labor Act §§ 2, 8(a) (43 P.S. §§ 40.2, 40.8)
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)
A junior driver's license automatically becomes a regular license at 18.
At 17, a junior driver with driver training and 12 months without a reportable at-fault crash or violation may get a regular license.
Pennsylvania law · 75 Pa.C.S. § 1503(c)
Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent
From 18, a person can be tattooed without a parent's consent.
Pennsylvania law · 18 Pa.C.S. § 6311(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.
1 Pa.C.S. § 1991 still defines "majority" as 21 when reading older statutes; 23 Pa.C.S. § 5101 sets 18 for contracts and lawsuits.
Pennsylvania law · 23 Pa.C.S. § 5101(a)
Can make a will
A person of sound mind can make a valid will at 18.
Pennsylvania law · 20 Pa.C.S. 2501
Can marry without a parent's consent
A person can marry without a parent's or court's consent at 18.
Pennsylvania law · 23 Pa.C.S. 1304(b)
Adult adoptee can get the original birth certificate
An adult adoptee can request a copy of the original birth certificate from age 18.
The adoptee must also have finished high school, completed a GED or legally left school.
Pennsylvania law · 23 Pa.C.S. 2937(a)
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.
Statewide, 42 Pa.C.S. 4502(a) qualifies every citizen of voting age (18) who lives in the county; the quote is the Philadelphia court's statement of it.
Pennsylvania law · First Judicial District Jury Service page
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)
Pennsylvania tries people charged with a crime in adult court by default from age 18; younger defendants start in juvenile court.
Murder, and certain violent felonies by those 15 and older, are excluded from juvenile jurisdiction and start in adult court.
Pennsylvania law · 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302
Can buy a lottery ticket
Pennsylvania Lottery games are limited to players 18 and older.
Pennsylvania law · Pennsylvania Lottery FAQ
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)
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
Age 30
Can serve as governor
Pennsylvania's constitution requires the governor to be at least 30 years old.
Pennsylvania law · Pa. Const. art. IV, § 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
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
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
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)
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
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)
Age 75
Can ask to be excused from jury service because of age
From age 75, a person can ask to be excused from jury service because of age.
The excuse is granted on request.
Pennsylvania law · 42 Pa.C.S. § 4503(a)(6)
Rules with no set age in Pennsylvania
- Can get a tattoo with a parent's consent: With a parent's consent, state law sets no minimum age. 18 Pa.C.S. § 6311(a)
- Court emancipation (adult status) can be sought: State law has no statute letting a minor petition a court for emancipation. Pa. Consolidated Statutes (no emancipation petition statute; Titles 23 and 42 searched)
- Lowest marriage age with parent or court consent: State law bars marriage under 18, with no parental or court exception. 23 Pa.C.S. 1304(b)
- Can pre-register to vote: Pennsylvania sets no fixed pre-registration age; a person may register if they will be 18 by the next election. 25 Pa.C.S. § 1301(a) (Department of State)
- Can vote in a primary if 18 by the general election: Voters must be 18 on primary day; 17-year-olds cannot vote in primaries. 25 Pa.C.S. § 1301(a) (Department of State)
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Legal ages in Pennsylvania, rule by rule
Each row is one rule, the age it sets in Pennsylvania, and the law it comes from. Federal rules apply in every state and are marked as federal.
Childhood
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 2 | 75 Pa.C.S. § 4581(a)(1)(ii) |
| 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.From 8 to 17, a seat belt is required. | 8 | 75 Pa.C.S. § 4581(a)(1.1) |
School
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Must be enrolled in school Pennsylvania requires children to attend school, or approved private or home instruction, from age 6.Starts when the parents enroll the child, no later than age 6. | 6 | 24 P.S. § 13-1326 |
| Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends) Pennsylvania's compulsory attendance requirement ends at the 18th birthday.A high school graduate is not of compulsory school age. | 18 | 24 P.S. § 13-1326 |
Work
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| 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). | 14 | 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)Federal, all states |
| Can work (state minimum age) Pennsylvania bars employment of anyone under 14, with narrow exceptions.Exceptions include performers, newspaper carriers and some farm work. | 14 | 43 P.S. § 40.3(c) (Child Labor Act § 3(c)) |
| No work permit needed Workers under 18 in Pennsylvania need a school-issued work permit.Farm work, domestic service in the parent's home and babysitting are excluded. | 18 | Child Labor Act §§ 2, 8(a) (43 P.S. §§ 40.2, 40.8) |
| 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. | 16 | 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)Federal, all states |
| 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. | 18 | 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)Federal, all states |
Driving
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Can get a learner's permit Pennsylvania issues a learner's permit for supervised driving at 16. | 16 | PennDOT Driver's Manual, learner permit |
| Can get a first license to drive alone A junior driver's license for driving alone is available after six months with a permit, so from 16 and 6 months.Requires 65 hours of certified practice driving, 10 at night and 5 in bad weather. | 16 and 6 months | 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1503(c), 1505(e); PennDOT Driver's Manual ch. 1 |
| Teen license limits end (varies, see rule) A junior driver's license automatically becomes a regular license at 18.At 17, a junior driver with driver training and 12 months without a reportable at-fault crash or violation may get a regular license. | 18 | 75 Pa.C.S. § 1503(c) |
| Can drive a commercial truck across state lines Federal rules require drivers of commercial vehicles in interstate commerce to be at least 21. | 21 | 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(1)Federal, all states |
Tattoos
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Can get a tattoo with a parent's consent With a parent's consent, state law sets no minimum age.The parent or guardian must consent and be present at the time of the tattooing. | No minimum age | 18 Pa.C.S. § 6311(a) |
| Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent From 18, a person can be tattooed without a parent's consent. | 18 | 18 Pa.C.S. § 6311(a) |
Adulthood and family
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Court emancipation (adult status) can be sought State law has no statute letting a minor petition a court for emancipation. | No petition statute | Pa. Consolidated Statutes (no emancipation petition statute; Titles 23 and 42 searched) |
| Becomes a legal adult (age of majority) State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18.1 Pa.C.S. § 1991 still defines "majority" as 21 when reading older statutes; 23 Pa.C.S. § 5101 sets 18 for contracts and lawsuits. | 18 | 23 Pa.C.S. § 5101(a) |
| Can make a will A person of sound mind can make a valid will at 18. | 18 | 20 Pa.C.S. 2501 |
| Can marry without a parent's consent A person can marry without a parent's or court's consent at 18. | 18 | 23 Pa.C.S. 1304(b) |
| Lowest marriage age with parent or court consent State law bars marriage under 18, with no parental or court exception. | Not allowed for minors | 23 Pa.C.S. 1304(b) |
| Adult adoptee can get the original birth certificate An adult adoptee can request a copy of the original birth certificate from age 18.The adoptee must also have finished high school, completed a GED or legally left school. | 18 | 23 Pa.C.S. 2937(a) |
Voting, juries and office
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Can pre-register to vote Pennsylvania sets no fixed pre-registration age; a person may register if they will be 18 by the next election. | No set pre-registration age | 25 Pa.C.S. § 1301(a) (Department of State) |
| Can vote in a primary if 18 by the general election Voters must be 18 on primary day; 17-year-olds cannot vote in primaries. | Must be 18 to vote | 25 Pa.C.S. § 1301(a) (Department of State) |
| Can vote The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to vote at 18 in every federal, state and local election. | 18 | U.S. Const. amend. XXVI, § 1Federal, all states |
| 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)).Law change: The FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (signed December 18, 2025) makes registration automatic; the Selective Service System says it will implement the change by December 2026. | 18 | 50 U.S.C. § 3802(a)Federal, all states |
| Can be called for state jury service A person can be called for state jury service from age 18.Statewide, 42 Pa.C.S. 4502(a) qualifies every citizen of voting age (18) who lives in the county; the quote is the Philadelphia court's statement of it. | 18 | First Judicial District Jury Service page |
| 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. | 18 | 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1)Federal, all states |
| Can serve in the U.S. House The Constitution sets 25 as the minimum age for the U.S. House of Representatives. | 25 | U.S. Const. art. I, § 2, cl. 2Federal, all states |
| Can serve as governor Pennsylvania's constitution requires the governor to be at least 30 years old. | 30 | Pa. Const. art. IV, § 5 |
| Can serve in the U.S. Senate The Constitution sets 30 as the minimum age for the U.S. Senate. | 30 | U.S. Const. art. I, § 3, cl. 3Federal, all states |
| Can serve as President The Constitution sets 35 as the minimum age for President. | 35 | U.S. Const. art. II, § 1, cl. 5Federal, all states |
Criminal court
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Charged as an adult by default (juvenile court age ends) Pennsylvania tries people charged with a crime in adult court by default from age 18; younger defendants start in juvenile court.Murder, and certain violent felonies by those 15 and older, are excluded from juvenile jurisdiction and start in adult court. | 18 | 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302 |
Age-restricted purchases
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 21 | 21 U.S.C. § 387f(d)(5)Federal, all states |
| 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). | 21 | 23 U.S.C. § 158(a)Federal, all states |
| Can buy a lottery ticket Pennsylvania Lottery games are limited to players 18 and older. | 18 | Pennsylvania Lottery FAQ |
Money
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 21 | 15 U.S.C. § 1637(c)(8)Federal, all states |
Later life
| Rule | Age | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Can start Social Security retirement benefits (reduced) Social Security retirement benefits can start at 62, permanently reduced. | 62 | SSA, Retirement Benefits: Benefit reduction for early retirementFederal, all states |
| 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. | 65 | 42 U.S.C. § 426(a)Federal, all states |
| Full Social Security retirement age (born 1960 or later) Full Social Security retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. | 67 | SSA, Full Retirement and Age 62 Benefit By Year Of BirthFederal, all states |
| Can ask to be excused from jury service because of age From age 75, a person can ask to be excused from jury service because of age.The excuse is granted on request. | 75 | 42 Pa.C.S. § 4503(a)(6) |
| Retirement-account minimum withdrawals begin Required minimum distributions from traditional retirement accounts begin at 73 for people who turn 72 after 2022.Law change: Rises to 75 for people who turn 74 after December 31, 2032. | 73 | 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)(9)(C)(v)Federal, all states |
How Pennsylvania sets these ages
State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18. Some rights arrive before that age and some after it, and several rules below give minors a path that needs a parent's consent or a court's approval.
For work, federal child-labor law does not excuse an employer from a Pennsylvania rule with a higher standard (29 U.S.C. § 218(a)), so the stricter rule applies to employers covered by both. A row without an age says why, for example: no permit is required, the law sets no minimum age, or the state has no rule of that kind.
The age of consent
The age of consent is not a milestone and is not part of this ladder. See age of consent laws by state for Pennsylvania's law and its legal context.
What this tool does not do
- It does not give legal advice or say whether a specific person may do something. Many rules have conditions (a parent present, a course passed, a court order) that the rule line names but the tool cannot check.
- It does not cover city or county rules (curfews, local tattoo or business ordinances) or private policies such as rental-car age minimums.
- It does not track pending bills. A rule changes on this page only after it is enacted and we confirm it at an official source.
- It does not show the age of consent. That is covered, with its legal context, on our age of consent page.
- It does not cover every age rule. Firearms, cannabis, casino gambling, the minimum age to adopt and curfews are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age of majority in Pennsylvania?
State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18. 1 Pa.C.S. § 1991 still defines "majority" as 21 when reading older statutes; 23 Pa.C.S. § 5101 sets 18 for contracts and lawsuits. (23 Pa.C.S. § 5101(a))
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania issues a learner's permit for supervised driving at 16. (PennDOT Driver's Manual, learner permit)
How old do you have to be to drive alone in Pennsylvania?
A junior driver's license for driving alone is available after six months with a permit, so from 16 and 6 months. Requires 65 hours of certified practice driving, 10 at night and 5 in bad weather. (75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1503(c), 1505(e); PennDOT Driver's Manual ch. 1)
How old do you have to be to work in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania bars employment of anyone under 14, with narrow exceptions. Exceptions include performers, newspaper carriers and some farm work. (43 P.S. § 40.3(c) (Child Labor Act § 3(c)))
Do minors need a work permit in Pennsylvania?
Workers under 18 in Pennsylvania need a school-issued work permit. Farm work, domestic service in the parent's home and babysitting are excluded. (Child Labor Act §§ 2, 8(a) (43 P.S. §§ 40.2, 40.8))
How old do you have to be to get a tattoo in Pennsylvania?
From 18, a person can be tattooed without a parent's consent. With a parent's consent, state law sets no minimum age. The parent or guardian must consent and be present at the time of the tattooing. (18 Pa.C.S. § 6311(a))
How old do you have to be to get married in Pennsylvania?
A person can marry without a parent's or court's consent at 18. State law bars marriage under 18, with no parental or court exception. (23 Pa.C.S. 1304(b))
At what age can you leave school in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's compulsory attendance requirement ends at the 18th birthday. A high school graduate is not of compulsory school age. (24 P.S. § 13-1326)
How old do you have to be to buy a lottery ticket in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Lottery games are limited to players 18 and older. (Pennsylvania Lottery FAQ)
Sources
- 25 Pa.C.S. § 1301(a) (Department of State)
- Pa. Const. art. IV, § 5
- 23 Pa.C.S. § 5101(a)
- Pa. Consolidated Statutes (no emancipation petition statute; Titles 23 and 42 searched)
- 20 Pa.C.S. 2501
- First Judicial District Jury Service page
- 42 Pa.C.S. § 4503(a)(6)
- 23 Pa.C.S. 1304(b)
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 4581(a)(1)(ii)
- 23 Pa.C.S. 2937(a)
- PennDOT Driver's Manual, learner permit
- 75 Pa.C.S. § 1503(c)
- Pennsylvania Lottery FAQ
- 42 Pa.C.S. § 6302
- 24 P.S. § 13-1326
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 6311(a)
- 43 P.S. § 40.3(c) (Child Labor Act § 3(c))
- U.S. Const. amend. XXVI, § 1
- 23 U.S.C. § 158(a)
- 21 U.S.C. § 387f(d)(5)
- 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1)
- 50 U.S.C. § 3802(a)
- 15 U.S.C. § 1637(c)(8)
- 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(1)
- 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)
- U.S. Const. art. I, § 2, cl. 2
- U.S. Const. art. II, § 1, cl. 5
- SSA, Retirement Benefits: Benefit reduction for early retirement
- 42 U.S.C. § 426(a)
- 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)(9)(C)(v)
Sources checked on October 21, 2026.
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