Frequently Asked Questions?

Most frequently asked questions

• Can I buy a 16-17 Saver in advance of my 16th birthday?
  A:

  Yes, if you order online you can order your Railcard up to 14 days in advance of your 16th birthday. Please note that you cannot buy Railcards in advance of your 16th birthday from rail stations.

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• How can I prove I’m 16 or 17?
  A:

  Your age can be verified using your passport, driving licence, EEA national identity card,  birth certificate or any Government-approved PASS card.

  Either enter the details in the online form (passport, driving licence or EEA national ID card) or upload a scan of the document (birth certificate or PASS card). Applications using scanned uploads will take a little longer to process.

  If you're buying over the phone, you'll need to provide us details of your passport, driving licence or EEA national identity card. If you are providing a birth certificate or PASS card, this will need to be emailed to us. Our customer support team will provide more details when you call. 

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• I'm 18 just after the start of the academic year? Will I still be able to use the 16-17 Saver to get to school or college?
  A:

  Only customers aged 16 or 17 are eligible for the 16-17 Saver. 

  The 16-17 Saver will be valid for one year or up until your 18th birthday, whichever comes first. 

  If you buy a Season ticket with a 16-17 Saver discount before it expires, you can continue to use it for up to 4 months after the expiry date. The expiry date and the date that you can use your Season ticket until are shown on the 16-17 Saver. 

  Some train companies and/or local authorities offer discount products to support students getting to school and college until the end of the academic year, including customers who are 18. Check with your local train company or local authority for more information. 

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• Can I continue to use my 16-17 Saver if I have my 18th birthday before it expires?
  A:

  No, your 16-17 Saver will be issued for either:

  • a maximum of 1 year from the date of purchase; or
  • the period from the date of purchase until the day before your 18th birthday if your 18th birthday falls before the expiry of 1 year from the date of purchase.

  However, if you buy a discounted Season ticket before your 16-17 Saver expires, you can continue to use your discounted Season ticket for up to four months after expiry of your 16-17 Saver, as long as your Season ticket is still valid. The 16-17 Saver will have two dates shown on it:

  • "Valid until"  - which is the expiry date up to which you can purchase and use new tickets.
  • "Season Ticket valid until" - which is the last date that you can continue to use any valid discounted Season ticket for travel. This is four months after the expiry date of the card.

   

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• Who is eligible for the 16-17 Saver discount?
  A:

  The 16-17 Saver can be purchased by all 16 and 17 year olds who live in Britain or abroad. 

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• Will this product benefit just students or apprentices also?
  A:

  This product will benefit all young people between of 16 and 17, including apprentices, and will help connect them with opportunities further afield.

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