Disabled person's bus pass

Where and when you can use your bus pass

A disabled person's bus pass will allow you free travel on local buses anywhere in England, from:

9:30am to 11pm on weekdays
all day at weekends and on bank holidays

Eligibility and evidence for a disabled person's bus pass

Before you apply:

you will need to provide proof of your eligibility, as detailed in the proof of eligibility table below
you can apply up to two weeks before the date of eligibility

If you already have a pass and it is about to expire:

you will need to re-apply. You can do this up to 30 days before the expiry date
you will again need to provide proof of disability. If your address has changed since your last pass was issued, you will also need to provide proof of address

Criteria for bus pass	Evidence required
1. resident in Northamptonshire Note: Please use the Directgov postcode checker to confirm that your residence is in Northamptonshire. This is if you do not have a Northamptonshire postcode.	household bill or bank statement which has your name and address on (preferably no more than 3 months old) proof of your identity, such as a birth certificate, current driving licence or current passport
2. proof of disability	Please see the below criteria for specific disability
a. is blind or partially sighted	Any one of the following: yellow card or registration card (Tel: 0300 126 7000) medical evidence signed by a medical professional letter from Social Services certificate of Vision Impairment signed by a Consultant Ophthalmologist
b. is profoundly or severely deaf	Any one of the following: an Audiological Evaluation or report from an aural specialist a signed letter or evidence from a medical professional a letter from Social Services
c. is without speech	Any one of the following: registration card medical evidence signed by a medical professional letter from Social Services
d. has a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to walk	Any one of the following: disabled residents Blue Parking Badge (issued by West Northamptonshire Council) letter from the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) showing entitlement to the Higher Rate Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) awarded 8 points or more for the "Moving around" activity for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) medical evidence signed by a medical professional letter from Service Personnel and Veterans Agency certifying “permanent or substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking” war pensioners mobility supplement
e. does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms	Any one of the following: medical evidence signed by a medical professional letter from Social Services
f. has a learning disability. You will be eligible if: you have a learning disability which includes impairment of intelligence and social functioning this includes Downs Syndrome, some autistic spectrum disorders, and other learning disabilities which mean that you: have difficulty in understanding new and complex information have difficulty learning new skills may not be able to cope independently. Someone who cannot cope independently may be able to live on their own. But, they may need help with certain aspects You will not be eligible because of: dyslexia or attention deficit disorder. These would not qualify as "significant impairment of intelligence or social functioning" dyspraxia - this is incomplete physical development, rather than incomplete development of mind mental health problems any condition which started after you became an adult (for example, brain injury) Note: you may still qualify if your condition is so severe that you would be refused a driving licence. See the information for Category G for more details.	Any one of the following: letter from a learning disability co-ordinator at a mainstream school or college where you are studying for a child, a Statement of Special Educational Needs for a child or student, a letter from the head of a special school or college where they are studying letter from social services, or another appropriate organization providing support services (for example, Mencap) letter from the manager of residential home or sheltered accommodation where you are resident medical evidence signed by a medical professional. As this is a private service, you may be charged for a letter Note: any letter provided as evidence should describe your disability. This is so that it is possible to see whether the criteria apply to you.
g. would have their application for a grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle refused. The application would be under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The refusal would be pursuant to Section 92 of the Act. This would pertain to physical fitness, otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol. Section 92 applies to the following: epilepsy (unless it is of a type which does not pose a danger - see below) severe mental disorder liability to sudden attacks of giddiness or fainting (whether as a result of cardiac disorder or otherwise) inability to read a registration plate in good light at 20.5 metres (with lenses if worn) other disabilities which are likely to cause driving of vehicles by them to be a source of danger to the public	Any one of the following: letter from Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) medical evidence signed by a medical professional Note: any letter provided as evidence should describe your disability. This is so that it is possible to see whether the criteria apply to you

Apply for a disabled person's bus pass

Apply now

You can also apply by visiting your nearest library. Obtaining your bus pass can take up to ten working days from the date of your application.

Lost or stolen bus pass

If your pass is lost or stolen, please call us on 0300 126 7000.

Last updated 23 January 2024