Coming of Age

[Arya]

No: HPFGUIDX 75380

Seeing the posts about the age to drive or own a bike, I was wondering and 
wonder if an actual UK'er can give an answer (not a guess from one of us 
living elsewhere)-- what are the milestone ages in the UK?  Like when can 
you get a driving license?  What is the age of consent (sexual)? What is the 
age of voting, drinking, etc..all that crap.  I see all different things in fan fics 
and conjecture but I think it's just biased to suit ones needs (most especially 
in Fandom) so I was wondering if someone can give a solid answer.  

If you are still unclear what I mean, here is an example for the US (every 
state may be a little different, my answers are for Wisconsin-- where I am):

15 and a half: eligible for learner's permit to learn to drive
16: eligible for a driver's license
18: eligible to vote, engage in "consensual sex", enter into a legal contract 
(marriage, buy home, etc), join military, gambling (someplaces), pay taxes, 
buy cigarettes, and maybe some others things- this si the general "Comming 
of Age" mark in the US.
21: Drink (in most places in the US, some still are only 18), Gambling (if the 
age isn't 18, then its 21, depending on the location)
25: age at which insurance companies finally think you are an adult and so 
they lower your rates and you can now--finally--rent a car.  (Personally, this 
one has always really pissed me off, well, it did anyway, when I was under 
25)

Any UK answers??

Arya