Virginia Legal Ages

Legal ages in Virginia

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.

     Or until the child reaches the seat maker's minimum forward-facing weight.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 46.2-1095(A)

2. Age 5

   • Must be enrolled in school

     Virginia 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.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 22.1-254(A), (E)

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.

     From 8 to 17, a seat belt is required.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 46.2-1095(A)

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)

     Virginia bars children under 14 from any gainful occupation, except as the child labor law allows.

     Exceptions include household work, farm work from 12 with a parent's consent, sports refereeing from 12 and work for a parent.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 40.1-78(A)

5. Age 15 and 6 months

   • Can get a learner's permit

     Virginia issues a learner's permit at 15 and 6 months.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 46.2-335

6. Age 16

   • No work permit needed

     Virginia employers must keep an employment certificate on file for each worker under 16.

     Volunteer work and farm, orchard and garden work are exempt.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 40.1-84

   • 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)

   • Court emancipation (adult status) can be sought

     A minor can petition a court to be declared emancipated starting at age 16.

     A parent or guardian may also file the petition.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 16.1-331

   • Can pre-register to vote

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

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 24.2-403.1

7. Age 16 and 3 months

   • Can get a first license to drive alone

     A driver's license is available at 16 and 3 months after driver education and nine months with a permit.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 46.2-334(A)

8. Age 17

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

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

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 24.2-403 (Department of Elections)

9. Age 18

   • Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends)

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

     A student 16 or older may meet the requirement through an individual alternative education plan agreed at a meeting with a parent.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 22.1-254(A), (E)

   • 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)

     Curfew and passenger limits apply to licenses issued to drivers under 18.

     Midnight to 4 a.m. curfew with exceptions; one passenger under 21 in the first year, three after.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 46.2-334.01(A)

   • Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent

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

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 18.2-371.3

   • Becomes a legal adult (age of majority)

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

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 1-207

   • Can make a will

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

     Virginia bars an unemancipated minor (under 18) from making a will.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 64.2-401(B); § 1-207

   • Can marry without a parent's consent

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

     Virginia law · Va. Code 20-48; 20-45.1(C); 2024 c. 737

   • Adult adoptee can get the original birth certificate

     An adult adoptee (18 or older) can get access to the original birth certificate on written request.

     Va. Code 63.2-1246 and 32.1-261 give the access to an "adult adopted person"; Va. Code 1-203 defines an adult as 18 or older. A birth parent's contact preference form is provided if on file.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 1-203; § 63.2-1246

   • 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.

     The statute says "over 18 years of age."

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 8.01-337

   • 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)

     Virginia 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.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 16.1-228

   • Can buy a lottery ticket

     State law bars selling lottery tickets to, or redeeming them for, anyone under 18.

     Virginia law · Va. Code § 58.1-4015

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)

    • 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

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

      Virginia law · Va. Const. art. V, § 3

    • 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 73

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

      From age 73, a person can ask to be excused from jury service because of age.

      Virginia's statute applies to a person over 73 years of age.

      Virginia law · Va. Code § 8.01-341.1(10)

    • 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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