Parents who wish to apply for a card for their child can watch this video.
If you are a parent or guardian of a 5–15 year old, then you must apply on their behalf. This will allow you to continue to exercise responsibility over their wellbeing and safety.
By applying on their behalf, you are agreeing for them to receive an NEC or Young Scot NEC that allows them to travel for free on any registered bus service in Scotland, as well as a limited number of local cross border services into northern England. Read more on the National Entitlement Card website.
If you have an existing Young Scot National Entitlement Card (NEC), you can use it to obtain a Yoti account. This account can then be used to verify your identity when applying for an NEC or Young Scot NEC on the National Entitlement Card website.
If you do not have the required identification please email stirlingyoungscot@stirling.gov.uk or call 01786 233562.
You should not apply for the free bus travel scheme. Also, a parent or guardian must apply on behalf of 5 to 15 year olds. If you are applying on behalf of your child for an National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC, do not ‘opt in’ to the free bus travel entitlement. This will allow them to receive their card without access to free bus travel.
Once a young person is 16 years old and over, they can apply for their own NEC or Young Scot NEC and get access to free bus travel.
If you are the parent or guardian of a 5–15 year old, you can apply to have the free bus travel removed from their NEC or Young Scot NEC. If they have a Young Scot NEC, they will still have access to the free Young Scot services and opportunities. You can do this online at the National Entitlement Card website or by contacting your local council. Or, you can apply for a new NEC or Young Scot NEC without ‘opting in’ to the free bus travel scheme.
Young people who are 16 to 21 years old must apply themselves.
You can apply for a National Entitlement Card up to two weeks before your child’s fifth birthday.
Contact us by email or 01786 233562 for additional support with the application process.
No. Anyone who is 16 years old or above must apply for their own NEC or Young Scot NEC, unless they have difficulty in applying on their own.
Yes. A replacement NEC or Young Scot NEC is likely to be needed to keep their photograph up to date. If they have a Young Scot NEC, they can continue to use it for Young Scot services until the day before their 26th birthday.
Transport Scotland does not share the details of individual journeys made. However, local councils and Transport Scotland can share an individual's personal and card usage data with Police Scotland or the British Transport Police (BTP), as is already the case with the Older and Disabled Scheme, but only in very limited circumstances such as when a serious crime has been committed or in the case of a high risk missing person.
No. All 5 to 21 year olds can travel for free by bus in Scotland.
Contact us by email or 01786 233562 for additional support with the application process.
Last updated: Monday, January 10, 2022 2:11 PM