With a variety of benefits, the Young Scot card is a vital tool for young people in Scotland. Here is the ultimate guide to the Young Scot Card, in which we will walk you through how to apply for it, the benefits of it, and the Young Scot Card replacements. Whether you’re a young person wishing to save money or a parent wanting to help their child take advantage of their opportunities, this guide will give you some aid.
What is Young Scot Card
Young people in Scotland between the ages of 11 and 25 can use the National Entitlement Card (NEC), also called the Young Scot Card, to receive various discounts and prizes, as well as free or subsidized travel. It has a variety of uses, for instance, you can use it to:
- Free bus fare for those under 22
- Thousands of savings at stores and events throughout Scotland
- Reduced train and ferry fares for full-time volunteers and those aged 16 to 18
- Evidence of Age
- Young Scot Accomplishments
- The European Youth Card Association offers thousands of discounts around Europe (EYCA)
- School lunches
Who Can Apply for Young Scot Card
Young people aged 11 to 26 who live in Scotland are eligible to apply for a Young Scot Card. Most young people apply for their Young Scot Card at their school in year P7. If you still don’t have one or have just moved to Scotland, you can apply for it on your own.
Prepare Proof before Young Scot application
To apply for a Scot Card, you need to prepare several documents that can prove your identity, including proof of name, age, address, etc. Generally, the following documents are required:
1. Proof of Person
To prove your identity, these documents are valid:
- Birth Certificate
- Current Passport [A passport will be accepted if it is valid and authentic and the photo still accurately depicts the applicant, even if it has expired, to apply for a young person’s NEC to access the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme]
- Adoption Certificate
- Health Card for NHS
- Certificate of Marriage or Civil Partnership
- Driving License with a Photo
- The Hologrammed PASS Card
- The EU Nationals’ Residence Permit is issued by the Home Office
- KOS EX or KOS EX2 is the home office letter.
- The Declaration of Identity, or GV3 Form
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
- Name and birthdate included in NHS correspondence
- Form BAIL 201 for Home Office
- Home Office Grant Letter No. S95
2. Proof of Address
To identify your residence, you can provide the following documents:
- Driving license with a photo (if not used as proof of identity)
- Driving License Without a Photo
- Costs for residential utilities (not including cell phone costs)
- Current Rent Book, Statement, or Letter from the Council or Housing Association
- The most recent statement from a bank, mortgage, credit union, or other financial institution
- From DWP / SSS letter
- Occupational Pension Scheme letter
- Statement of Credit Card
- Present-day Television License
- HMRC Document
- Immigration Letter from the Home Office
- A letter from a residential care facility
- A letter from the local government attesting to your residency in the council area
- A letter from the college, university, or school
- Court Directive
- Name and address from recent NHS communication (if not used as Proof of Person)
- Form BAIL 201 from the Home Office (if not used as Proof of Person)
- Grant Letter from the Home Office S95 (if not used as Proof of Person)
- Tenancy Agreement
3. Proof of Photograph
Your photo is also necessary to identify yourself. You can offer:
- Current Passport (A passport will be accepted if it is valid and authentic and the photo still accurately depicts the applicant, even if it is expired when applying for a young people’s NEC to access the Young People’s Free Bus Travel Scheme).
- Driving License with a Photo
- PASS Accredited Credit Card
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
- Your photo must be qualified and compliant with the following items:
- Size of passport photo: 45 x 35 mm
- Photographs should be recent, reflect the applicant, be in color, sharply focused, and show the applicant’s face clearly against the background. They should also show the applicant with their eyes open and visible (no shades or tinted glasses, and no facial hair covering their eyes).
- Not wearing a head covering except for medical necessity or religious convictions.
- Be photographed without a facial covering.
- Be a head and shoulders close-up
To provide a compliant photo, you can ask the AiPassportPhotos online tool for help, which can auto-adjust your photo for your passport, ID card, etc.
🔎Also Read: Where Can I Take a UK Driving Licence Photo?
How to Apply for Young Scot Card
There are two ways to apply for Young Scot Card. You can choose to apply for it online or through your school. Check what to do separatly in this section.
To apply for Young Scot Card Online:
You can Visit getyournec.scot to apply for a new card if you’ve left school.
You will need to upload a passport or driver’s license and a digital photo to apply for a Young Scot Card in this manner.
To apply for the Young Scot Card at school:
Each year, all Primary 7 students receive an application form and have the opportunity to apply for Young Scot NEC before starting secondary school. You can apply through school or contact the North Lanarkshire young Scot team through the email: youngscot@northlan.gov.uk or calling 01236812586.
How to Get Young Scot Card Replacement
You can get a new card by any of the following methods if your old one was misplaced, stolen, or damaged:
1. Get a replacement through the getyournec.scot online website.
2. If you live in North Lanarkshire or go to school here, send an email to youngscot@northlan.gov.uk with your name, address, and birthdate. If you would like to change your photo, send us a passport-style picture and they will take care of it.
3. Apply online at www.freebus.scot or to your local authority if you don’t reside in North Lanarkshire.
Your card will be disabled, in the unlikely event that it ends up in the wrong hands, you won’t be held responsible for any misuse. In five to ten days, the replacement card will be mailed to your home address.
National Entitlement Card (NEC) for People with Disabilities
You are eligible for free bus travel throughout Scotland and discounted rates on coaches, trains, and the Strathclyde Subway if you meet the eligibility requirements and have a recognized handicap.
If you match the requirements, your National Entitlement Card (NEC) will also enable a companion to travel with you for free if you need assistance using public transportation. Additionally, you can use your NEC to join a recreation center or library.
You can directly apply for a NEC for people with disabilities online. Just go to the getyournec.scot website. Then select the Disabled Concessionary Travel category to apply.
You need to provide the identity of your name, address, photo, and your disability certificate.
National Entitlement Card (NEC) for Over 60s
If you are sixty years of age or older, your National Entitlement Card (NEC) can be used to receive discounts on transportation within Strathclyde or as a bus pass. Additionally, it can be used to pay for leisure centers or library memberships. You can choose to apply for your card online:
- On the website getyournec.scot, select the 60+ Concessionary Travel category.
- You’ll need to submit documentation of your identification, address, and a recent photo of yourself.
In addition to applying for it online, most post offices also let you apply for your NEC. You can request an application form for concessionary travel at the counter. Additionally, you must submit a recent passport-size photo, evidence of your age, and current residence.
FAQ
- Is a Young Scot card a national ID?
The PASS logo represents the National Proof of Age Standards Scheme. This implies that you may provide your Young Scot NEC as identification of age. The Scottish Government and Police Scotland regard PASS as a legitimate form of identification.
- Is the train free with a Young Scot card?
It is not totally free to take a train with a Young Scot Card. But You can receive excellent discounts on your train travel in Scotland if you have a Young Scot National Entitlement Card and are between the ages of 16 and 18 (or up to 25 if you volunteer full-time). This includes 50% off weekly and monthly tickets and a third off most train costs.
The Bottom Line
This article is the ultimate guide to the Young Scot Card. We have shared how to apply for a Young Scot Card and the required documents you must prepare. It is pretty easy to get a Young Scot Card online. Just go to the official website and select the category you are qualified for, then upload related documents. Hope you can successfully obtain your NEC with the help of the guide here.
Erin Lo