02.09 / Topic 09 of 11
Everyday Life
Pubs, pets, fireworks, litter and growing up.
The law shapes ordinary days more than you'd think, from the pint you order to when your neighbours can set off fireworks.
- 14
- Essential laws
- 04
- Chapters
- 07
- Weird ones
- 00
- Busted myths
AT A GLANCE · 03 KEY NUMBERS
CHAPTER A · 04 LAWS
Going out
Drinking, smoking, betting and fireworks.
Licensing Act
You must be 18 to buy alcohol. 16 and 17-year-olds can drink beer, wine or cider with a table meal if an adult buys it.
What it means for youIt's illegal to buy alcohol for someone under 18 in a pub or shop. Staff can refuse service if you're drunk.
In practice
- It's an offence for staff to knowingly sell alcohol to someone who's drunk.
- If staff ask you to leave licensed premises while drunk, you must.
- Children over 5 can legally drink alcohol at home (it's an offence to give it to under-5s except in emergencies).
Tobacco & vapes
18 to buy tobacco and vapes. Single-use disposable vapes have been banned from sale since 1 June 2025.
What it means for youSmoking in a car with someone under 18 inside is illegal. The fine is £50.
In practice
- Smoking in enclosed workplaces and pubs banned since 2007 (Wales: 2007; Scotland: 2006).
- Smoking in a car carrying under-18s has been illegal since 2015.
- A 'smokefree generation' law would stop anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 ever buying tobacco.
Gambling
You must be 18 for most gambling, including betting shops, casinos and online gambling.
What it means for youStruggling with gambling? Self-exclude from all online sites at once with GAMSTOP. It's free.
In practice
- The National Lottery has been 18+ since October 2021.
- Under-18s can legally play only a few low-stakes options, like some fruit machines in family arcades.
- Gambling firms must check your age before you can play online.
Fireworks Regulations
No fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except later on special nights.
What it means for youOnly buy fireworks from licensed sellers. Under-18s can't have adult fireworks in public.
In practice
- Bonfire Night: until midnight.
- New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year: until 1am.
- You must be 18 to buy most fireworks.
CHAPTER B · 04 LAWS
Out & about
Public spaces, private land and things you find.
Trespass & the right to roam
Trespass is mostly a civil matter, not a crime, so 'Trespassers will be prosecuted' is often an empty threat.
What it means for youStick to public rights of way and open access land. Use the Countryside Code.
In practice
- Exceptions include railways, squatting in homes and some protest and encampment offences.
- You can walk freely on mapped 'access land' such as mountains, moors and heaths.
- Public rights of way must be kept open by landowners.
Public Spaces Protection Orders
Councils can ban specific activities in public places, such as drinking alcohol or letting dogs off the lead.
What it means for youCheck signs in parks and town centres. Breaking a PSPO can mean an on-the-spot fixed penalty.
In practice
- Look for signs: the rules only apply in the mapped area.
- Breaking one can mean a fixed penalty or a fine of up to £1,000.
- Orders last up to 3 years and can be renewed.
Littering
Dropping litter, including cigarette ends and chewing gum, is an offence. Fixed penalties go up to £500 in England.
What it means for youThrowing litter from a car can earn the owner a fine of up to £500, even if a passenger did it.
In practice
- Fly-tipping fines can be up to £1,000 on the spot, or unlimited in court.
- Car owners can be fined for litter thrown from their vehicle.
Finding lost property
'Finders keepers' isn't the law. Keeping something you find can be theft if the owner could reasonably be traced.
What it means for youHand found items to the venue or the police. For a lost phone or wallet, try to trace the owner.
In practice
- Hand valuable items to the place you found them or the police.
- Treasure (old gold, silver and coin hoards) must be reported to the coroner within 14 days.
- Money you find in the street generally belongs to whoever lost it.
CHAPTER C · 04 LAWS
At home
Pets, noise, rubbish and the TV licence.
Animals & pets
Dog owners must keep dogs under control; some breeds are banned. Dogs and (in England) cats must be microchipped.
What it means for youMicrochip your dog and keep your details up to date on the database. Fines go up to £500.
In practice
- XL Bully dogs need an exemption certificate (England & Wales, since February 2024).
- Cat microchipping became compulsory in England in June 2024.
- Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 you must be 16 to buy a pet.
Noise nuisance
Councils must investigate noise that unreasonably interferes with your home, and can issue abatement notices.
What it means for youKeep a noise diary with times and recordings. Councils can use it to take action.
In practice
- There's no blanket 'no noise after 11pm' law, but night-time noise is treated more seriously.
- Councils can issue warnings for excessive noise between 11pm and 7am.
- Breaking an abatement notice can lead to fines and confiscated equipment.
Household waste
You're responsible for your rubbish even after it leaves your home, so only give it to licensed waste carriers.
What it means for youCheck a waste carrier's licence on GOV.UK before paying someone to take rubbish away.
In practice
- If a 'man with a van' fly-tips your waste, you can be fined up to £600.
- Check carriers on the Environment Agency register.
- Fly-tipping itself can lead to unlimited fines and prison.
TV licence
You need a TV licence to watch or record live TV on any channel or device, or to use BBC iPlayer.
What it means for youOnly watch catch-up on non-BBC apps like ITVX? You may not need a licence. You can declare it online.
In practice
- That includes laptops, phones and streaming services showing live channels.
- You don't need one just for on-demand services like Netflix (not live).
- Over-75s receiving Pension Credit get a free licence.
CHAPTER D · 02 LAWS
Civic duties
The things the law asks of every citizen.
Registering to vote
You must register before you can vote. It takes about 5 minutes online.
What it means for youRegister at gov.uk/register-to-vote. Not being registered can also hurt your credit score.
In practice
- You can be fined up to £1,000 for not giving information when the council asks.
- You must be 18 to vote in UK general elections, or 16 in Scotland and Wales for their own elections.
- Students can register at both their home and term-time addresses.
Jury service
If you're 18–75 and on the electoral register you can be summoned. Ignoring it can mean a fine.
What it means for youYou can ask to postpone once, for a good reason. Employers must let you go, but don't have to pay you.
In practice
- Usually lasts 10 working days.
- You can ask to defer once.
- Discussing the jury's deliberations, even years later, is a crime.
NOTES
Did you know?
NOTE 01Large shops (over 280m²) in England & Wales can't open on Christmas Day or Easter Sunday.
NOTE 02The National Lottery age rose from 16 to 18 in October 2021.
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