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Young Persons Free Bus Travel Scheme

If you are 5-21 years old and live in Scotland then you are eligible for free public bus travel from 31 January 2022, no matter your nationality.

If you wish to apply for a Young Scot Card without the free public bus travel please visit Young Scot Card

To travel free on the public bus network, you must have a new National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC) that was issued to you after 10 January 2022.

Children aged under 5 years do not need to apply for a card as they already travel for free on public bus services across Scotland.

Please visit Young Persons Free Bus Travel Scheme (opens new window) to find out more about the Young Persons Free Bus Travel Scheme before you make a decision to apply.

Application process

16-21 year olds have the option of retaining their current Young Scot card and adding the travel element by downloading the Transport Scot Pass Collect app (opens new window)

For those aged below 16 it is not possible to add free bus travel to your existing Young Scot card or Kidz Card .  You will need to apply for a new one.

Children and young people aged 5 to 15 years old will not be able to apply for a card themselves.  Applications must be made by a parent or carer.  For children who are about to turn 5 years old, applications can be submitted from two weeks before their 5th birthday.

Children between 5 and 10 years old will not have a photograph attached to their National Entitlement Card.

Young people from 11 years old must supply a photograph with their application.  This is because, as well as travel, they are eligible to have a Young Scot NEC that includes the Young Scot, EYCA and PASS logos and provides access to a number of other Discounts and Rewards

Young people who are 16 - 21 years old must make an application themselves for a Young Scot Card with travel.

How to apply

There are a number of ways for 5 - 21-year olds to get a National Entitlement Card or Young Scot NEC to access free public bus travel services. 

Regardless of the route you use to apply, you will need to supply proof of your identity (name and age), proof of residency and a photograph if you are over 11 years of age.

Parental or carer's consent will be required to add travel to the card of any 5 to 15-year-old inclusive.

To find out what documents can be used to provide proof, please visit Proofs | National Entitlement Card

  • Parents Portal - this is the quickest and easiest way for parents or carers of children between 5 and 10 to make an application for a National Entitlement Card with added travel.   If you are not already using the Parents Portal, please visit parentsportal.scot  for more information
  • Online at getyournec.scot -this is the quickest and easiest way for children and young people between the age of 5 and 15 inclusive (if the Parents Portal cannot be used as above) to apply for a National Entitlement Card or Young Scot NEC.


If the young person is between 5 and 15 years of age inclusive, a parent or carer will need to apply on their behalf.

Guides to help parents or carers apply online can be viewed at

16 to 21-year olds can apply and add travel to their own Young Scot National Entitlement Card.

You will require:

  • An email address
  • A device with a camera or a webcam (laptop/tablet/phone)
  • A photocard driving licence OR a passport OR a Yoti account (verified digital identity account)

You should then visit getyournec.scot to fill out and submit your application for a new National Entitlement Card or Young Scot card with travel.

If you find you need help to apply online, there are specific help pages.

These pages will direct you to the correct area for support if required.

At School - Application forms can be obtained from school offices for primary and secondary pupils. If you apply on the form issued by a school, the form should be returned to the school and they will send it to the Young Scot team who will arrange for a Young Scot card with travel to be issued.

  • In person - In person applications will be supported if there are specific reasons you are not able to apply online on either the Parents Portal or getyournec.scot.


You will need to make an appointment at a local office by calling 01506 280150. You must explain to the Officer what it is you are applying for and they will tell you what you need to bring to the appointment. 

More information about opening times and booking an appointment is available here

  • By post or email - If you are not able to apply online or attend an appointment, you can apply by post or email.  You can print the application form below, complete it and post it back to West Lothian Council, Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, EH54 6FF or scan and email it to YoungScot@westlothian.gov.uk

If you are emailing or posting your form, please make sure you provide the relevant evidence. Evidence required to support applications for a Young Persons National Entitlement Card with travel can be found at Proofs | National Entitlement Card

Please note that photographs should be updated at least every 3 years or if your appearance has changed significantly since you were last issued with a card. Photographs must be head and shoulders only on a clear background with no facial obstructions.

How to update or request a replacement card?

If you already have a Young Scot National Entitlement Card with travel, you can apply online at getyournec.scot to:

  • Update your details
  • Update your photograph on your card
  • Request a replacement for a lost or stolen or damaged card
  • Renew an expiring or expired card

If you are not able to use the online option to either apply for a new card or make changes to an existing card, further help and guidance is available by:

  • Making an appointment at a local CIS office by phoning 01506 280150
  • Emailing YoungScot@westlothian.gov.uk
  • Phoning the Customer Service Centre

You need to provide your name, address and date of birth if you are emailing us to ask for assistance.

If you are being supported to apply for a new Young Scot card or make changes to an existing card and you are asked to provide an updated Passport style photograph, we are currently accepting photographs taken on a mobile device or camera which can be emailed to YoungScot@westlothian.gov.uk  Photographs must be head and shoulders only on a clear background with no facial obstructions.

Further information on this scheme can be found