Am I entitled to a disabled Freedom Pass?
To find out if you are eligible for a disabled persons freedom pass, you will need to complete an application form and show how you meet the eligibility criteria.
Applying for a new Freedom Pass
A Disabled Person's Freedom Pass is only issued following an assessment of eligibility.
To request an application form, please contact the Concessionary Awards Team using the contact details below. We are open Monday-Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm for telephone enquiries.
Alternatively you can download an application form which you can print and return to us at the address below.
When you apply you must provide ONE document proving name and age and ONE document proving the address that is on your application form, along with 2 recent passport-sized photographs of yourself. All proof must be original (not photocopies).
All applicants must supply:
Proof of name and age. Please bring one of the following:
- current Freedom Pass and photocard
- pink driving licence (paper or photocard)
- letter of pension entitlement
- birth certificate if it shows your current name
- current passport
- medical card.
Proof of address. Please bring one of the following:
- current council tax payments book/bill/letter
- current council/housing association rent book/statement/letter
- current TV licence.
Or
The following items only if dated in the last three months:
- residential utility bill
- residential bank/building society statement
- residential credit card statement
- Benefits Agency letter
- a letter of Pension Entitlement or Occupational Pension Letter
- Inland Revenue letter.
What are the eligible categories of disability?
There are seven categories of disability under which a person can be entitled to concessionary travel under the terms of the Transport Act 2000. An eligible person is someone who:
- is blind or partially sighted
- is profoundly or severely deaf
- is without speech
- has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to walk
- does not have arms or has long-term loss of use of both arms
- has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning; or would, if he applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have his application refused pursuant to section 92 of that Act (physical fitness) otherwise on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.
The list of medical conditions under which a person may be refused a driving licence is extensive but includes:
- some people with mental health issues
- people with impaired vision whose sight is not so impaired that they qualify under the first category above
- people with a diagnosis of epilepsy whose condition has not been completely controlled by medication for a year or more.
For more information about the conditions and circumstances under which a licence may be refused on medical grounds, please see the DVLA and Directgov websites.
How can you find out more?
You can find out more from the DfT website: Concessionary bus travel - frequently asked questions.