Aged Based Legal Rights

   In Bermuda, the age of majority is 18 years old.  That's the age when you legally become an adult and get to do things like vote in an election.  However, there are some things that you can do before you legally become an adult.

Young people in Bermuda gain the following legal rights at different ages:

Age	Right or Responsibility
8	Responsible for crimes (Criminal Responsibility)
13	Permitted to Work
16	Get a Bermuda Youth Licence to ride an auxiliary cycle (50cc)
16	Sentenced as an adult for crimes
18	Purchase Cigarettes and Tobacco

18	School leaving age

18	Vote in a national election

18	Get married (without parent's permission)

18	Obtain a licence to drive a car

18	Purchase and drink alcohol

In this section, age-based legal rights for the following activities:

School

Bermuda School Children

All children between the ages of 5 and 18 must attend school on every school day. However, you may be able to leave school earlier if you are in senior school and you have met the graduation criteria at an earlier age.

Work

It is illegal for children under 13 to work in any type of employment unless they are working for their parents and the type of work is light work.  All children between 13 and 18 shall not work during school hours nor shall they be employed for two hours or more on a day that they have attended school. Children who reach the age of 13 can work without their parent's permission.

If you are under the age of 15 years you are not permitted to be involved in any industrial work.  

If you are under the age of 18 your employer cannot employ you to work past midnight.   

Bermuda Youth Licence

Riding Test for Project Ride Program

Riding a motorbike in Bermuda is a privilege and not a right.  When you reach the age of 16 years old, you will be eligible to ride an auxiliary cycle (50 cc).  However only upon completion of the Project Ride Program arranged by Transport Control Department and obtaining your Bermuda Youth Licence will you have the legal right to ride an auxiliary cycle. 

Riding Test for Project Ride Program

Once you have obtained your Youth Licence there are some limits to the licence.  You will not be able to carry any passengers on your bike nor can you ride your bike between the hours of 1 am and 5 am.  If you violate these conditions, you could be brought before the courts fined or have your licence revoked.

You can participate in Project Ride Program as early as 6 months before you turn 16 years old.

For more Information on Project Ride visit the following websites:
http://www.bermudaroadsafety.com/index.phpoption=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=154

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5FSWuXeoEJs

Committing a Crime

The first time a young person aged between  8-15 does something wrong they can appear in Juvenile Court even though the Police do have a discretion to give them a caution for the first time they get into trouble  but this is no guarantee.

If it is not the first time they have been in trouble or if the offence is more serious, like carrying a knife, assaulting someone or gun crime, they will normally appear in Juvenile Court. Crimes for murder or attempted murder will be heard in an adult court.

If a young person under 16 years is convicted for their offence in Juvenile Court, they can be sentenced to an absolute discharge, a conditional discharge, probation, a fine, damages or reparation.  If it the offence is only punishable with a prison sentence, they can only be sent to be in the care of the Director of Child & Family Services.  It is unlawful to send a child between the ages of 8-15 to prison or detention.

Children who are between 16 and 17 years or older, will appear in the adult courts and will be sentenced as an adult.  However, if an offence is punishable with a prison sentence they will be sentenced to corrective training at the Co-Educational Facility which is the senor training school.   

     Important Notes: This information was last updated in March 2017.  This is intended as general guidance only.  It must not be regarded as a definitive interpretation of the law.  Anyone in doubt should seek legal advice.