On September 20th, I will be eighteen years old. Quite a milestone if you ask me because I’m officially an adult. However, even though I am an adult, there are some things that I can’t do. However, I am an adult, so why are there so many restrictions? Most of these restrictions are needed, but we are simply just adults on paper. Eighteen-year-olds can enlist in the military, vote, get picked for jury duty, be sentenced to life in prison, or rent an apartment. Yet, we can’t legally drink alcohol, rent cars, or make certain medical decisions without parents’ involvement. At eighteen, you don’t get the best of both worlds—old enough to take on responsibilities but unable to be fully independent. In a way, turning eighteen is just a reminder from society that we aren’t “grown” enough.
Instead of focusing on the things an 18-year-old can’t do in this country, I want to list several things that are available to those who are now 18. Although I can’t enter the Encore casino, I’ll find other ways to have fun.
Civic and Legal Rights
- Sign legal contracts.
- File a lawsuit.
- Create a will. Hopefully, this is something that you won’t have to do for a while, but if you are prepared, then go ahead.
- Change your legal birth name.
Health and Medical
- Doctors and nurses will contact you directly with test results.
- You can make follow-up appointments, but make sure you come to them.
- Register to become an organ donor or give blood.
- Purchase cough medication.
- Go to the ER alone and get treatment.
In General
- Legally serve alcoholic drinks. Even though the drinking age is 21, at age 18, a teen can work in a bar and serve drinks to customers.
- Get an unrestricted license. The JOL rule is lifted, meaning you are no longer subject to the rules, such as the number of passengers allowed within the car or driving hours. However, please drive responsibly.
- Drive a taxi.
- Become a realtor.
- Apply for a credit card.
- Get a passport. At 18, you no longer need your parents to apply for a passport.
- Buy a car.
- Use a meat slicer machine at a deli.
For Fun
- Skydive.
- Get a tattoo or piercings without parental consent.
- Buy a pet.
- Buy fireworks.
- Get married without parental permission. In some states, teenagers can marry younger with their parents’ consent.
- Rent a hotel or Airbnb.
- Buy spray paint.
- Get a Costco Card.
- Adopt a child. This can become relevant when becoming a guardian for a sibling.
- Travel internationally without parental consent.
I hope this list gives you an idea of what you can legally do at 18. There are more birthdays to come, and much more life to experience.
