Can I get cheap travel using my Young Scot NEC?
With your Young Scot NEC, you get access to travel discounts if you are 16,17 or 18 years old and if you are a full-time volunteer aged up to 25 years old. See the section below for free bus travel.
If you are aged 16, 17 or 18 years old or are a full-time volunteer aged up to 25, you get 1/3 off of single and most return rail fares in Scotland. Plus residents of the Scottish Islands can access free ferry travel vouchers.
Visit our Save Money on Travel page to find out more.
Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel
Young people who are 5-21 years old living in Scotland can apply to access free bus travel. Young people need a new or replacement National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC) before hopping on board.
However, If you’re aged between 16 and 21 years old and already have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC, you have the option to download free bus travel onto your existing card using the Transport Scotland Pass Collect App. This means you may not need to apply for a new card to access your free bus travel.
Check out the video below from Transport Scotland to find out more.
There are two ways for you to apply for a new or replacement card to access the scheme.
- You can apply online at getyournec.scot
- Or, you can apply directly with your local council
At Young Scot, we do not issue cards and can’t answer questions about specific applications.
- If you applied online at getyournec.scot please visit the ‘help’ section on their site if you have a query about your application or check the status of your application
- If it’s been more than 10 working days (2 calendar weeks) and you have not received your card, then please get in touch with the Improvement Service’s Helpdesk
- If you have problems using your card once you are on the bus, contact concessionarytravel@transport.gov.scot
- If you have a question about our Young Scot Services including PASS, discounts, Young Scot Rewards and Membership Services, get in touch with us at info@young.scot
Find all the information you need on freebus.scot.
I will be a student in Scotland. Can I apply for a Young Scot NEC ahead of arriving?
If you live in Scotland for most of the year (at least 6 months), then you are eligible to apply for a Young Scot NEC with under 22s free bus travel. You should apply for your card when you are resident in Scotland. Applications made in advance cannot be held until you arrive at the beginning of the academic year.
Can I buy school meals using my Young Scot NEC?
Your school manages cashless catering using the Young Scot NEC (often the catering team). If you’ve any questions about the scheme, then speak directly to your school, or your Local Authority.
How do I sign up for the Young Carers Package #YSCarers using my Young Scot NEC?
If you’re 12-18 years old and you care unpaid for a family member, friend or member of your community, you might be eligible for our Young Carers Package. You can apply for the Young Carers Package via Young Scot Membership. If you’re 11 years old, then you can apply by filling in our online form.
How do I access concessionary travel for disabled young people using the Young Scot NEC?
If you are disabled then you could be eligible for free bus travel to get around Scotland and your local area. You can access this via your Young Scot NEC. You can apply for your Young Scot NEC by contacting your Local Authority who will let you know about the application and renewal process in your area. You can also use getyournec.scot for applications.
Click here for more information about concessionary travel.
How do I get a Young Scot NEC?
There are several ways to apply for a new or replacement Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC):
- Online at getyournec.scot. You can find out more information about the application process and what documents you need on the getyournec.scot website.
- Directly with your local council. Find their details on our Near Me page. Scroll down and select your local council area.
If you ordered your Young Scot NEC at your school, please speak to your school office to find out when they expect your Young Scot NEC to arrive.
Before you apply for a Young Scot NEC Online
You can apply for a Young Scot NEC online at getyournec.scot
Aged 16+ and applying for a Young Scot NEC for yourself?
To apply online you will need:
- a device with a camera or webcam (laptop/tablet/phone).
- to sign in using your mygovscot myaccount (Click Register if you don’t have one).
- a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders
- proof of identity (passport, driving licence or use your Yoti account)
- proof of address (such as Council Tax bill or bank statement)
Parent or guardian applying on behalf of a young person aged under 16?
To apply you will need:
- a device with a camera or webcam (laptop/tablet/phone).
- to sign in using your mygovscot myaccount (Click Register if you don’t have one).
- parent or guardian proof of identity (passport, driving licence or use your Yoti account)
- parent or guardian proof of address (such as Council Tax bill or bank statement)
- proof of your child’s identity (eg. passport 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 for this purpose
- a recent digital image of the child (if aged 11+) showing their head and shoulders.
Find a full list of accepted proof of address and photograph guidelines on the Get Your NEC website.
I have a question about my online application
If you applied online at getyournec.scot, please visit the ‘help’ section on their site if you have a query about your application or check the status of your application at getyournec.scot.
If it’s been more than 10 working days (2 calendar weeks) and you have not received your card, then please get in touch with the Improvement Service’s Helpdesk.
Can I apply for a Young Scot NEC in person?
Some Local Authorities allow you to apply for a Young Scot NEC in person – sometimes at local libraries and civil buildings. Please contact your Local Authority to find out the services on offer near your home.
Where’s my date of birth?
When you applied for your Young Scot NEC, you might have ticked the box ‘opt out of Young Scot’. Please get in touch with your Local Authority and tell them you’d like a card that’s got Young Scot branding on it.
How long does it take for a Young Scot NEC to arrive?
You should allow up to ten working days from the date your application was approved for your card to arrive.
How do I change my photo?
You can change your photograph on your Young Scot NEC by contacting your Local Authority or online at getyournec.scot.
What’s the PASS logo on my Young Scot NEC?
The PASS logo stands for The National Proof of Age Standards Scheme. This means you can use your Young Scot NEC as proof of age and can buy age-restricted goods like lottery tickets or rated films. PASS is recognised by the Scottish Government and Police Scotland as an acceptable form of proof of age. Retailers and businesses do have the right to decide which forms of ID they will and will not accept and can refuse sale if they choose.
We are aware that there was an issue with the Proof of Age Standard Scheme (PASS) hologram on some young people’s Young Scot National Entitlement Cards. This issue has now been resolved and therefore if you require a PASS hologram to access essential services, you can apply for a replacement card. Please note that even if there is an issue with the hologram on your current card, you can still access all other discounts and entitlements including the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme.
If you think your Young Scot NEC has been refused unfairly you can fill in our refusal form online.
Find out more information about PASS.
How do I sign up for Young Scot Membership?
If you sign up for Young Scot Membership, you get access to online discounts and Young Scot Rewards. You can also access entitlement packages such as Young Carers Package and Young Scot Next. To sign up, you must be over 12 years old and have signed up for a MyGovScot MyAccount. Check out our Step by Step Guide on Signing Up for Young Scot Membership.
How do I apply for a Young Scot NEC if I don’t have identification?
You can ask an approved member of staff to support your application. This person should be able to confirm your name and date of birth against an approved data source. The approved member of staff could be a teacher checking against education records, a doctor checking against NHS records etc. Please speak directly to your Local Authority regarding this.
How do I apply for a Young Scot NEC if I don’t have photographic identification?
If you don’t have ID with a photograph on it, you can use a birth certificate (or similar document) alongside a referee who will confirm your likeness. Your referee should have no family or personal relationship with you. Recognised professions for a referee include bank/building society official, MP/MSP, dentist, nurse, optician, pharmacist, police officer, social worker, teacher or lecturer. You must speak to your Local Authority to discuss this in detail.
What’s an acceptable form of proof of residence I can use when applying for my Young Scot NEC?
There are lots of forms of proof of residence that you can use. These documents should be in your (the applicant’s name) and you should live in Scotland for at least six months of the year. These include:
- Utility bill
- Council/housing association statement or letter
- Bank or mortgage statement
- Credit union statement
- Confirmation from an electoral search
- Credit card statement
- Television licence
- HMRC, Home Office, immigration letter
- DWP/disability entitlement letter
- Occupational pension letter
- Letter from care or residential come
- Court Order
- Letter from school/university/college
- Benefit book /card or original notification
- Award of Child Benefit letter
- Photo driving licence
- Letter from Local Authority confirming residency
- Record of a home visit by council or government official
You should speak to your Local Authority directly about acceptable forms of proof of residence.
How do I change my name on my Young Scot NEC?
To change the name on your Young Scot NEC you need to have proof of a change of name. If you don’t have this documentation, you can get a statutory declaration that can be signed free of charge by a local Councillor.
Find out more information from Scottish Trans about changing your name.
Still not found the answer to your question? Please visit our Contact Us page.