As you get older, and shift from being a child towards being a preteen, a teenager, and finally an adult, you’ll unlock new things every few years that you’re able to do.
For example, when you turn 13, you’re able to sign up for a lot of different websites and games online that don’t allow people below that age. Anyone who grew up with internet access before they were 13 probably remembers lying about their birth year when signing up for online games and whatnot.
When you turn 18, you can vote in local and national elections. Depending on where you live, you need to turn 18, 19, or even 21 before you can start going to bars.
Anyways, those are just a few examples of things that you can do as you turn different ages to illustrate the point, but what about if you’re younger and you’re wondering what can you do at 16 years old?
Here are some things that that you’re able to do independently after turning 16 years old.
What Can You Do When You Turn 16
Here are things that you can do when you turn 16 years old.
These things could vary a bit by city or state, and certainly by country, so make sure you check into your local situation!
Can You Get a Job When You Turn 16?
You might actually be able to get a job before you turn 16 in certain circumstances, especially things like babysitting or clearing snow or mowing lawns for your neighbors, but when you turn 16 you’ll be able to get a much wider range of jobs like working in restaurants, grocery stores, and so on.
It really comes down to what types of roads you’ll be on, and what drivers are like in your city or town.
Can You Get Your Driver’s License at 16 Years Old?
Yes, you can get a driver’s license at 16 years old.
Depending on where you life, you can get your beginner’s driver’s permit at 15 or 16 years old in most states. After a certain amount of time with your beginner’s permit, you’ll be able to take your road test to get your full license. The age for your full license will vary, but once you’re fifteen and a half or sixteen or whatever the age is in your state, you can start driving a car with certain restrictions.
Can You Drive a Moped at 16?
Yes, you can drive a Moped at 16.
Cars can be pricey, and even an older car with a lot of mileage on it can get expensive when it comes to needing a lot of costly repairs. If you just need a way to zip around town, around campus, and so on – sometimes a Moped or a similar scooter can be a good option. It really depends what types of roads you’ll be on,
Have a Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party
Your sixteenth birthday party is a fun milestone! Most of us won’t have over the top celebrations or get brand new cars for our sweet 16, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get together and have a nice time with some friends – whether it’s a larger group, or just some of your best pals – try to do something special for your sixteenth.
Not much going on? That’s okay, too, throw on your favorite album or movie, get some of your favorite foods, and things could be a lot worse, right?
Can You Register To Vote When You’re 16?
Yes, you can register to vote at 16.
In some states, you can register to vote before you turn 18, but you won’t be able to vote until your 18th birthday. There’s no reason to register to vote this much early, but it’s not bad to get it out of the way, and it doesn’t hurt to take an interest in what’s going on around you and preparing for when you’ll be able to vote and to have an influence.
If you pay attention to national politics, it can seem absolutely insane sometimes, but you can have a surprisingly big impact in your local politics. Voting on things like school trustees and other local politicians in small elections in your town or city can have a much bigger impact on your life, directly, than whoever is president.
Things You Can Do at Sixteen With Parental Consent
There are other things that sixteen year olds can do, but these are things that will most likely require parental consent. These are things that are you can do when you’re 18 or older, usually, without parental consent but that can also be done before adulthood if your parents are on board with it.
Can You Legally Change Your Name at 16 Years Old?
Yes, you can legally change your name at 16 with your parents permission.
You can legally change your name before you’re an adult, but you will need your parents to be on board with this to do it legally.
The good news? You can call yourself whatever you want, and functionally change your name by updating your social media and asking your friends, family, teachers, and others to call you by your new name, it just won’t match your government documents until you’re old enough to change your name without needing permission from your parents.
Can You Get a Piercing When You’re 16?
Yes, you can get a piercing at 16.
You can get a body piercing when you’re still a minor, but you’ll need your parents to be on board with it. In some places, you can get your ears pierced when you’re under 18 without parental presence or permission, but usually, the ear is the only piercing your can get without your parents help.
If you’re wondering how the rules work in your area, just call a local piercing store, most malls have a handful of stores that offer piercings, and many tattoo parlors also offer piercings.
Can You Drink at a Restaurant When You’re 16?
Yes, you can drink at a restaurant when you’re 16 if your parents are there.
Depending on where you live, someone who is sixteen could have a drink at dinner with their parents. The laws can vary but in some States and in parts of Canada (And of course, many other places in the world), but there are many places where someone who is 16 or around that age can have a beer or a glass of wine at a restaurant if they’re dining with their parents and their parents are okay with it.
Can You Adopt a Pet When You’re 16?
Yes, you can adopt a pet when you’re 16 if your parents approve.
In some places you can get a pet on your own at 16, but usually you’ll need parental accompaniment to get a pet if you’re younger, whether it’s a dog, a cat, or something else. Many pet stores or shelters won’t sell or adopt an animal to somebody who is a minor.
Can you customize exclusive souvenirs when you’re 16?
You can create custom keychains with your own unique ideas.
In addition to key chains, you can also make customized hats, t-shirts, bags, challenge coins, and more These customized gifts can be purchased online, designed by yourself online, or designed for you. This customized commemorative gift can help you express your best wishes and remember wonderful moments.
See also:
- Why Do Teenagers Eat So Much?
- 9 Proven Relaxation Techniques for Teenagers
- What Can Teenagers Do in Las Vegas? (Visiting Las Vegas With Teens!)
- Can You Open a Bank Account at 17 Without a Parent?
Final Thoughts on What Can You Do at 16?
There are a lot of things that you can do once you turn 16, or even before that. There are even more things that you can do at 16 with parental permission because most places in the world will consider you an adult when you turn eighteen, but before that, your parents have a lot of say in what you can or can’t do – which includes giving permission for things that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to do until you’re older.
Everyone’s parents are different, some of them are okay with things that other parents aren’t okay with. If you don’t like some of the rules that your parents set, like if they don’t let you get a piercing or drink at restaurants with them, just remember that you’ll be old enough to make these decisions for yourself before you know.
