Young Scot cards

The Young Scot National Entitlement Card is available free of charge to everyone aged 11-25 and living in Scotland. The card can be used to pay for school meals, proof of age, exclusive rewards and as a membership card.

Free Travel for 5 - 22 year olds

From 31 January 2022 all children and young people aged 5-22 will be entitled to free bus travel in Scotland.

You can apply for free travel online from today at www.getyyournec.scot (This cannot be done through your school). The free travel will expire on the eve of your 22nd birthday.

Even if you already have a National Entitlement Card or Young Scot National Entitlement Card, you must apply for a new or replacement card to travel by bus for free.

The free travel is not added automatically to current NEC/Young Scot Cards, it has to be applied for by either a parent/guardian or the young person themselves and a new card issued, unless you apply for the travel using the Transport Scotland app.

For children/young people who have an existing KIDZ Card/Young Scot Card

Children aged 5-10 must have a parent/guardian apply for their Junior National Entitlement Card (NEC) on their behalf.  Parents/guardians can do this by applying online at www.getyournec.scot. This card will not have their photograph on it.

Young persons aged 11-15 will need a parent/guardian to apply for the free travel on their behalf.  This can be done online at www.getyournec.scot.

Young persons aged 16 and over can apply to have the free travel without parental approval.  They can do this online at www.getyournec.scot or by calling 030 33 33 3004 and asking for the free travel to be added to their existing card.

If you are 16 or over and already have an existing active NEC or Young Scot NEC card, you can download free bus travel onto your card using Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme | Transport Scotland.  This means you may not have to apply for a new card to travel for free.

For children/young people who do not have an existing KIDZ Card/Young Scot Card

For any child or young person who has never had a NEC or Young Scot card they will need to apply for one to receive the free travel. They can apply online at www.getyournec.scot.

All children who are currently in P7 will have forms sent home from school shortly for the school to apply for the Young Scot Card on their behalf as part of the transition to secondary.  These cards will all have the free travel applied automatically as long as the form is returned to school and signed by the parent/guardian.  If you do not wish for your child to have the free travel applied to their card you will have to apply for a card without travel either online at www.getyournec.scot or via your local Customer Service Centre/Library.

For more information regarding the scheme including frequently asked questions you can visit https://freebus.scot/

If you do not have the required documentation or are unable to apply online, you can make an appointment at your nearest Customer Service Centre/Library where staff can assist (find your nearest at www.dumgal.gov.uk/lia) by calling 01387 260196.

Apply for a new card

Most young people apply for their Young Scot Card at school in year P7 but if you haven't got one and you're still at school you can get one through your school office.

Online: If you have left school you can apply for a new card online at getyournec.scot

To apply for an NEC in this way you'll need either a driving licence or passport and the ability to upload a digital photograph.

In Person: If you are unable to apply online you can make an appointment for an assisted application at Customer Service Centre .  Please book an appointment in branch or by calling 030 33 33 3004.

You'll need to bring:

  • proof of age (such as a birth certificate or passport)
  • proof of address (such as a recent bank statement or evidence from college)

For more information please visit National Entitlement Card.

Replacement cards

If your card is lost, stolen or damaged you can apply for a replacement card online at getyournec.scot

If you are unable to apply online, please telephone 030 33 33 3004.

Updating your photograph

If you want to update the photograph on your Young Scot Card you can do this online at getyournec.scot

If you are unable to update the photo online you can make an appointment at Customer Service Centre and staff can take a new picture and order an updated card. Please book an appointment in branch or by calling 030 33 33 3004.

Other uses

National Entitlement Cards can also be used as:

Page last updated: 09/10/2023
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