Can my child get free school transport?

For parents in England whose child has a long or unsafe journey to school.

Applies to: England Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Your council must give free school transport to children aged 5 to 16 who go to their nearest suitable school and live far enough away.

Under 8: the school is more than 2 miles away.
8 to 16: the school is more than 3 miles away.
Children can also qualify if there is no safe walking route, or they cannot walk because of special educational needs, disability or a mobility problem.
Low-income families can get help over shorter distances or to a wider choice of schools.
You apply through your local council.

Different in Wales

The distances are 2 miles for primary and 3 miles for secondary pupils.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Wales: Check gov.wales for Wales
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Under 8: over 2 miles
Age 8 to 16: over 3 miles
Extra help for low incomes
Apply via your council

The main distance rules

Your child must go to their nearest suitable school.

Child's age	They qualify if the school is
5 to 7 (under 8)	more than 2 miles away
8 to 16	more than 3 miles away

Other reasons your child may qualify

Your child can get free transport even if they live closer, if:

there is no safe walking route between home and school, or
they cannot walk there because of special educational needs, a disability or a mobility problem

Extra help for families on low incomes

Your child may also qualify if they are eligible for free school meals. From the start of the 2026 to 2027 school year, your child will still be eligible if you get Universal Credit and your household income is £7,400 or less a year. This means income after tax, not counting any benefits.

The low-income distance rules are:

Child's age	They qualify if they go to
8 to 11	their nearest school, at least 2 miles away
11 to 16	a school 2 to 6 miles away, if it is one of their 3 nearest suitable schools
11 to 16	a school 2 to 15 miles away, chosen because of your religion or belief

Example

Sam is 12 and his family gets Universal Credit with a household income under £7,400. His third-nearest suitable school is 4 miles away. Under the normal rule he would not qualify, as he chose a school that is not his nearest. Under the low-income rule he can, because the school is 2 to 6 miles away and is one of his 3 nearest suitable schools.

Children aged 16 and over

There is no national free transport rule for young people aged 16 or over. If your child is still in education, ask your local council what help it offers.

How to apply

Find your local council's website. The GOV.UK free school transport page has a postcode tool.
Read your council's school transport information.
Fill in the application. Include your child's school and any evidence of special needs, disability or low income.
Wait for the council to tell you if your child qualifies.

If your application is turned down, ask the council how you can ask it to look at the decision again.

If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland

Wales: under the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008, councils must arrange transport for children of compulsory school age who live 2 miles or more from their school (primary) or 3 miles or more (secondary). Other conditions apply, so check with your council.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules. Contact your local council (Scotland) or the Education Authority (Northern Ireland).

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply through your council

Common questions

Does my child qualify for free school transport if we are on Universal Credit?

From the 2026 to 2027 school year, your child can still qualify if you get Universal Credit and your household income is £7,400 or less a year after tax, not counting benefits.

Is there free school transport for over 16s?

Ask your local council if it offers help with transport if your child is 16 or over and still in education.

Official sources

1.Free school transportwww.gov.uk/free-school-transport
2.Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008, section 3www.legislation.gov.uk/mwa/2008/2/section/3

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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