Young people aged between 5 and 21 years old are eligible for free bus travel from 31 January 2022.

At present, the Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme does not cover transport to and from school.

How to apply

All young people aged between 5 and 21 years old will need to apply for a new or replacement National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC. There are several ways to apply:

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Applying online

To apply for a Young Scot National Entitlement Card online, please go to getyournec.scot.

Young people under 16 years old will need their parent/guardian to apply on their behalf and provide approval for free bus travel to be enabled on their card.

This allows parents or guardians to exercise their responsibility for their children's safety.

What parents/ guardians will need to apply online

Before you apply online this is what you'll need. You won’t be able to save and resume your application, so please get this information ready before you start.

To apply you will need:

  • a device with a camera or webcam (laptop/tablet/phone).
  • to sign in using your mygov.scot myaccount (click register if you don’t have one).
  • parent proof of identity (passport, driving licence, Young Scot card, Biometric Residence Permit or use your Yoti account).
  • parent proof of address (such as Council Tax bill or bank statement).
  • proof of your child's identity (eg. birth certificate (if under 11 only), passport, Biometric Residence Permit or Young Scot card).
  • proof of your child's address (only if they live at a different address from you).
  • child's birth or adoption certificate (listing both your name and your child). Note: abbreviated birth certificates will NOT be accepted.
  • a recent digital image of the child (if aged 11+) showing head and shoulders.

Applying through school

If you or your child/young person attends school and are unable to use getyournec.scot, please contact the school office and request guidance and an application form.

Young people under 16 years old will need their parent/guardian to apply on their behalf and provide approval for free bus travel to be enabled on their card.

This allows parents or guardians to exercise their responsibility for their children's safety.

Aged 16+ or no longer at school

Young people aged 16+ should apply for free bus travel themselves using getyournec.scot.

If you’re aged 16-21 and already have a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC, you can now download free bus travel onto your existing card using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app? This means you may not need to apply for a replacement. Further information Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel webpage.

If you are 16+ and no longer attend school and are unable to use getyournec.scot, please contact Young Scot Falkirk: