Is your child entitled to free school transport? The UK rules, explained
Every council in England has a legal duty to arrange free home-to-school transport for children who qualify. The rules come from the Education Act 1996 and the Department for Education's Home to school travel and transport statutory guidance. They're more generous than many parents realise — but they're also full of conditions, so it pays to know where you stand.
Who counts as an “eligible child”?
A child of compulsory school age is generally eligible if they attend their nearest suitable school and any of the following apply:
- They live beyond the statutory walking distance — 2 miles for under-8s and 3 miles for children aged 8 and over (measured by the shortest reasonable walking route, not by road).
- There is no safe walking route to school, even if it's within the distance.
- They could not reasonably be expected to walk because of special educational needs, a disability or a mobility problem.
Low-income “extended rights”
Children from lower-income families (those entitled to free school meals, or whose parents receive the maximum Working Tax Credit) have extended rights. Depending on age and the schools involved, this can cover journeys from 2 miles up to 15 miles to a nearer suitable school. Post-16 transport is different again — there's no automatic right, but each authority must publish a transport policy statement setting out what's available.
How to apply — and how to appeal
Applications go through your local authority (not the school), usually via an online form. If you're turned down, every council must run a published appeals process, typically a two-stage review. Keep evidence of distances and any road-safety concerns.
Where KinOrbit fits
Plenty of families fall just outside the thresholds — a mile and a half from the gate, or with a route that's walkable but not practical alongside work. That's exactly the gap a verified, school-confirmed carpool bubble is built for: a safe, shared, tracked ride without the cost or the queue.