Now You Are 18 - A Survival Guide - Legal Rights and Responsibilities

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Ben

A survival guide explaining what changes when someone becomes an adult at age 18 in Texas, with emphasis on new legal rights and personal responsibility. Covers core adult legal topics such as voting eligibility and registration, jury duty, driving and related regulations, alcohol law considerations, criminal charges, contracts, credit and consumer protection. Also addresses marriage, divorce and children, housing (apartments), employment, military service and selective registration, truancy, and includes a Texas resources section plus copyright and disclaimer.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

A Survival Guide

General Principles

Voting

Jury Duty

Driving

Drinking Laws

Criminal Charges

Contracts

Credit

Consumer Protection

Marriage, Divorce and Children

Apartments

Employment

Military Service and Selective Service Registration

Truancy

Texas Numbers and Websites

Now You Are 18 Contents A Survival Guide ...................................................................................2 General Principles .................................................................................3 Voting .................................................................................................4 Jury Duty ............................................................................................5 Driving ................................................................................................7 Drinking Laws ......................................................................................9 Criminal Charges ................................................................................ 10 Contracts........................................................................................... 12 Credit ............................................................................................... 14 Consumer Protection ........................................................................... 16 Marriage, Divorce and Children ............................................................ 19 Apartments ........................................................................................ 22 Employment ...................................................................................... 24 Military Service and Selective Service Registration .................................. 25 Truancy ............................................................................................. 26 Texas Numbers and Websites............................................................... 27 Copyright & Disclaimer ........................................................................ 28 A Survival Guide Welcome to the adult world! NOW YOU ARE 18 has been prepared especially for you. Our purpose is to explain to you what some of your new rights are. Some areas of the law that you want to know about and indeed should know about are presented. We tried to project what your questions might be: what should you do if you have a car accident? ... or, what are your rights if you are arrested? ... or, what should you look for in buying a used car? ... or, what are your legal obligations if you marry? NOW YOU ARE 18 gives you some answers. The rights explained in this booklet are important. They are your LEGAL rights. It is also important for you to know and remember that ALL the laws that pertain to your rights cannot be listed in such a short guide. It is our purpose to give you these guidelines to make you aware. Please remember there are exceptions and special circumstances that also affect your rights and responsibilities. NOW YOU ARE 18 is your basic guide. We hope it will be helpful in your understanding of your rights and responsibilities as an adult. General Principles When does a person become an "adult"? In Texas, as in most states, you become an adult at age 18. Each state may determine its own "age of majority. " What does it mean to become an "adult"? When you become an "adult"you then have certain new rights, i.e., to vote, make contracts in your own name, and to become completely independent. You also have certain new responsibilities and are held personally accountable for your actions. When I reach age 18, am I automatically given all the rights of an"adult"? In Texas, the answer is "yes" with the exception of the laws relating to alcoholic beverages. Each state may set differing age limits for many situations, including the following: 􀁸 To vote in state and local elections 􀁸 To serve on a jury in court 􀁸 To marry without parental consent 􀁸 To make a will 􀁸 To work for pay 􀁸 To obtain a driver's license 􀁸 To be able to examine your credit record Some of the rights you have after age 18 that you did not have before areas follows: 􀁸 To sue in court in your own name 􀁸 To make a contract (rent an apartment, buy a car, and/or

FAQs

At what age does someone become an adult in Texas, and what is the “age of majority”?

In Texas, a person becomes an adult at age 18. The age of majority is set by each state, but Texas uses 18 as the general point for adulthood.

What are the voting requirements after turning 18 in Texas?

To vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, be a resident of Texas, and have been registered to vote for 30 days prior to the election. Some exceptions are mentioned in the guide.

What responsibilities and legal consequences change after age 18?

After age 18, you can be held personally accountable for your actions. The guide notes that criminal charges filed after age 17 are tried in adult criminal court rather than juvenile court, parents are no longer required to support you, and you may be eligible for jury duty.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Ben