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Transport for London

11-15

Zip is the name for Oyster photocards for young people. All 11 to 15-year-olds must carry their Oyster photocard with them to travel free on buses and trams.

You must touch in on the yellow card reader as you board a bus or at the tram stop before boarding. Failure to do this may result in a penalty fare or the withdrawal of free travel concession.

You can travel free at any time across the entire London bus network and tram system, including sections outside Greater London using your 11-15 Oyster photocard. You can also travel at child-rate on Tube, DLR,  London Overground and National Rail services within London.

If you already have an Oyster photocard, you don't need to replace it, just use it until it expires.

Reminder: using Oyster photocards on buses and trams

You must touch your Oyster photocard on a yellow card reader when you board a bus or at a tram stop before you get on a tram. Make sure you get a green light, which shows your card is valid. If you get a red light, touch your photocard on the yellow reader again. If it is still not accepted, speak to a bus driver or member of staff.

If your Oyster photocard has been stopped, has expired or has insufficient pay as you go credit, you may be asked to pay the cash fare.

Who needs an 11-15 photocard?

You need an Oyster photocard to:

A photocard is not needed for single or return tickets bought with cash for the Tube, DLR, London Overground or National Rail or Day Travelcards. 11-15 year-olds without a valid Oyster photocard must pay the full adult cash fare on buses and trams until they get one, unless they have a child-rate Day Travelcard.

When you apply for an Oyster photocard, you will need to provide personal data such as name, address and date of birth.

Learn more about how we use your personal information.

Who is eligible for one?

You can apply for an 11-15 Oyster photocard if you are more than 10 years and 11 months and were under 16 on 31 August prior to the start of the academic year. Your Oyster photocard will be valid until 30 September after the end of the academic year in which you turn 16.

If you live in London:

The easiest and quickest way to apply is to get an application form from a Post Office in greater London and areas just beyond the boundary that are served by the London bus and Tube networks.

Alternatively, you can ask for an Oyster photocard application form to be sent to you or call our helpline on 0845 330 9876*

All applications for 11-15 Oyster photocards must be made at a Post Office. You need a:

Your application should be submitted at least two weeks before the Oyster card is needed. There is no charge for your first Oyster photocard, or for replacing an under 14 Oyster photocard with an 11-15 Oyster photocard. If you apply through the Post Office and already have an existing 11-15, 14-15 or Child Oyster photocard, your application will be rejected.

Your Oyster photocard will be sent to the address you provide on your application. If it has not arrived within two weeks, please call 0845 330 9876, quoting your application reference number.

If you live outside London

You can apply for a Non-resident 11-15 Oyster photocard online. Please allow three weeks for your application to be processed.

You will need to:

Collecting your Oyster photocard

You will need to pick up your 11-15 Oyster photocard when you arrive in London.

It can be collected from any Travel Information Centre. You will need to show proof of your date of birth in the form of a valid Passport, ID card (from a European Economic Association country) or birth certificate.

You must do this within two weeks of the collection date you choose when ordering.

Points to note for non-resident applicants:

PIN number and expiry dates

You will be given a PIN number for your photocard. You will need this if you have a query about your card or if it is lost or stolen.

Once you have received your photocard you can change your PIN online by creating a photocard account and using the 'Change PIN' option.

Your 11-15 Oyster photocard will expire on 30 September following the end of the academic year in which you turn 16.

To continue getting discounted travel you can apply for a 16+ Oyster photocard up to one month before your 11-15, 14-15, or Child Oyster photocard expires.

Using your Oyster photocard

You must touch in on the yellow card reader as you board a bus or at the tram stop. When using Tube, DLR, London Overground or National Rail services, you must touch in on the yellow card reader at the start and touch out at the end of your journey. If you do not, you may be liable for a penalty fare and your and travel concession may be withdrawn.

If you do not follow TfL's Behaviour Code or if you commit a crime on one of our vehicles, your free travel concession may be withdrawn.

Contact us

Duplicate cards - 0845 331 9872*

Call the Oyster help line on 0845 330 9876* if:

* For BT residential customers, calls to the Oyster helpline will cost no more than 3.5p per minute (current at December 2009). The price on non-BT phone lines may be different.

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