A disabled person’s bus pass in England provides free bus travel for individuals with certain conditions if they meet specific criteria. This includes having one of the qualifying conditions or disabilities, and the necessary evidence to support it, as per Citizens Advice.

Typically, conditions or disabilities that hinder mobility are likely to make you eligible. Claiming disability benefits like PIP can also serve as straightforward evidence when applying. Being blind or partially sighted could qualify you for the free pass.

Evidence required for this condition might include a letter from your local council confirming your registration as blind or partially sighted. Alternatively, a certificate of visual impairment signed by a consultant ophthalmologist could suffice.

You may also be eligible for a free bus pass if you:

• Are unable to speak
• Can’t walk far due to a disability, illness or injury
• Don’t have use of your arms
• Have been denied a driving licence due to your health

Some more specific conditions include:

• Epilepsy
• Severe mental disorder
• Severe learning disability
• Profound hearing loss

If your licence has been refused due to issues with drugs or alcohol, you likely won’t qualify for a disabled person’s bus pass.

For most of these conditions, you can submit a disability benefit assessment or award letter highlighting the impact on your mobility or evidence from medical professionals, such as an audiological report indicating hearing loss, a professional confirming loss of limb use, a DVLA notice of licence refusal or letters from Integrated Children’s Services or Adult Social Care verifying a learning disability.

If you’re unable to provide one of the suggested pieces of evidence, an independent medical assessment may be offered but you will still need to present some initial evidence to suggest you might be eligible.

You can apply for a disabled person’s bus pass from your local council, and Citizen’s Advice also provides local services to assist with the application if necessary. If you reside in London, you’ll need to supply a Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass instead, but the eligibility criteria remain largely the same.

If you don’t receive a bus pass, you can challenge this decision or you may be able to obtain a discretionary bus pass from certain councils. You may also still qualify for other assistance like a disabled person’s rail card or the blue badge scheme. More information can be found on the Gov.uk website.