How to apply

Find out more about how to apply below

For parents, guardians or carers of a 5−15 year old

A parent, guardian or carer must apply on behalf of 5–15 year olds for a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC with free bus travel. Remember that free bus travel is available nationwide! This means your child can travel across Scotland, so please take care when making the decision about applying for them. It’s a big responsibility – but it can come with fantastic benefits and opportunities.

You can apply online at getyournec.scot, or using Parentsportal (if your child is enrolled in school and the school uses this). If you cannot or do not want to apply online, you can apply through your local council.

In some local council areas, schools are coordinating applications on behalf of pupils. Schools will contact you directly if this arrangement is in place.

For 16−21 year olds

You need a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC with free bus travel on it. You need to apply yourself, but it’s easy and you could even use your existing card as proof of your identity.

You can apply online at getyournec.scot. If you cannot or do not want to apply online, you can apply through your local council.

If you already have an active card issued before 10 January 2022, you may be able to download free bus travel onto your existing card using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app.

For parents, guardians or carers of someone under 5

You don’t need to apply for children who are under 5 years old as they can already travel for free on buses in Scotland and don’t need a card. But don’t forget to apply when your wee one turns 5 to open up a world of possibility! You can apply up to two weeks before their 5th birthday.

How can I apply for a replacement?

You can contact your local council to request a replacement or visit getyournec.scot to make an application online. If you live in the Glasgow city council area, you can complete an online form to request a replacement through Glasgow life.

After you’ve applied for a new card or requested a replacement, your old card will stop working. As soon as your new card arrives, you should start using it and destroy your old card.

Please remember – all journeys made under the scheme must be recorded so that the Scottish Government can reimburse bus operators for carrying you for free. Tapping your card at the ticket machine on board the bus each time you travel makes this possible.