Young Person's NEC Application Guidance

The Young Persons National Entitlement Card (NEC), also known as the Young Scot card, is available free of charge to everyone aged 11-25 living in Scotland. To apply for your Young Scot card online go to getyournec.scot. (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
The Young Scot card provides young people with a proof of age card and discounts in stores and online. At age 16-18 years, young people in the Western Isles receive 4 free ferry vouchers per year. The Young Scot card will also allow young people to access free bus travel, with parental permission, when this new scheme is rolled out by the Scottish Government.

Complete the National Entitlement Application Form (47.8kB) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) and return to the address below (local validation points):

Young Scot Western Isles
c/o Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Sandwick Road, Stornoway,
Isle of Lewis,
HS2 0AG

If you attend school you do not need to provide proof of person, photograph or residence. Take your completed form, with photograph attached, to the school office and ask for it to be checked and stamped, then return to address above.

If you do not attend school you will need to provide proof of person, proof of photograph and proof of residence – a list of the acceptable proof can be found below.

Under 22's Free Bus Travel

All residents in Scotland under the age of 22 will be eligible for free bus travel from 31 January 2022. Applications can be made via getyournec.scot (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)

Young people will need to apply for a new or replacement Young Scot NEC card to travel for free by bus. Parents or guardians of 11-15 year olds must apply on their behalf.

To apply via getyournec.scot you'll need proof of:

  • you and your child’s identity (for a parent/guardian this can be a passport or driving licence)
  • your address

More information on the scheme can be found on Transport Scotland's (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) website.

All applicants are encouraged to apply using this route but if you are experiencing difficulties details on how to apply locally for free bus travel are listed below.

11-15 Year Olds (Parental Consent Form)

For young people aged 11-15 years old a parent / guardian must complete11-15 year old Consent form (33.9kB) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file). Application forms must be printed, signed and returned to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Sandwick Road, Stornoway.

16+ Opt In Form

Young people 16 + can opt into the scheme by completing the Young Persons Opt in form 

Please note that by applying through these local routes it may take longer for you to receive your card.

Discounts

Local Discounts Include:

  • 10% off at the Coop
  • £1 discount at Back & Sides Barber, Stornoway
  • 10% off studio services or hire (excluding lessons) at Wee Studio
  • 10% off footwear & clothing at Lewis Crofters

Loads more discounts available at Young Scot (Opens in a new window or downloads a file).

Why Get a Young Scot Card?

Proof of Age

The Young Scot card is a National Entitlement Card which means that it is recognised across Scotland as proof of age - really useful for young people travelling by plane with Loganair or buying tickets for the HebCelt festival!

Information

The Young Scot (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) website is chock full of information on everything from moving schools to mental health.

Rewards

Sign up for Young Scot Rewards and use your reward points to enter competitions on Young Scot (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) or save up for rewards.

National Entitlement Card:  Acceptable Proofs

Proof of person, proof of photograph and proof of residence are all required to be verified. All proofs must be originals. If you require to have proofs verified, please email: youngscot@cne-siar.gov.uk (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)

Acceptable proof of person documents include birth certificate, current passport, photo driving licence, PASS hologrammed card.

Acceptable proof of residence (current or within last three months) documents include, letter from College/University, driving licence, utility bill, bank statement.

Acceptable proof of photograph documents include, current passport, photo driving licence, PASS hologrammed card.

If you do not have one of the above photo verification proofs then please provide details for Referee in the application form.

Example of acceptable Referees (must be in current employment, not retired): Accountant, Councillor, Dentist, Manager, Minister of religion, Social worker, Teacher.

Photographs included with applications must be of passport quality and standard, which means the photograph must be:

  • Passport photo sized – 45mm x 35mm
  • Recent and resemble the applicant
  • Be in colour, be clear and in sharp focus, with a clear difference between the applicant’s face and the background
  • Be taken with eyes open and clearly visible (no sunglasses or tinted glasses and no hair across the eyes)
  • Show the applicant’s full head, without any head covering, unless this is worn for religious beliefs or medical reasons
  • Be taken with nothing covering the face
  • Be a close-up of head and shoulders
  • Have no filters applied