Disabled persons bus pass

You will be eligible if:

• you are registered with your local authority, or entitled to be registered as blind (severely sight impaired); or
• you are registered, or entitled to be registered as partially sighted (sight impaired).

You will not be eligible if:

• you are not entitled to be registered by your local authority.

Proving that you are eligible

In general terms a person can be registered blind (severely sight impaired) if they cannot see (with glasses, if worn) the top letter of the eye test chart (used by doctors and opticians) at a distance of three metres or less.

Some people, who can read the top letter of an eye test chart at three metres, but not at six metres, may still be eligible for registration as blind if their field of vision is also severely restricted.

A person can be registered as partially sighted (sight impaired) if they have a full field of vision but can only read the top letter of the eye test chart at a distance of six metres or less (with glasses, if worn). However, if they can read the next three lines down at the same distance, but the field of vision is either moderately or severely restricted, they may still qualify for registration.

You will be eligible if:

• you have both arms but are unable to carry out day to day tasks;
• you have limb reduction deficiency of both arms;
• you have bilateral upper limb amputation; or
• you have a medical condition which affects the use of your arms. For example, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, motor neuron disease.

You will not be eligible if:

• you have one arm and are able to carry out day to day activities.

Proving that you are eligible

You will be eligible if:

• you have a learning disability which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning skills. This can include downs syndrome and other learning disabilities.

You will not be eligible if:

• you have dyslexia, dyspraxia or attention deficit disorder - these would not qualify as a 'significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning';
• your intelligence is not impaired, even if your disability affects your social functioning;
• you are applying because of mental health problems; 
• your condition started after you became an adult (for example a brain injury);
• you suffer from mental health issues but are receiving appropriate treatment, meaning you would not be refused a driving licence; or
• you suffer from mental health and cannot provide appropriate evidence to support your application.

Proving that you are eligible

You will be eligible if:

• your hearing loss is severe or profound (greater than 70 dBHL in both ears)

You will not be eligible if:

• your hearing loss is mild or moderate (69 dBHL or less, in your better ear).

Proving that you are eligible

Hearing loss is graded as:

• 25 - 39 dBHL is mild - cannot hear whispers.
• 40 - 69 dBHL is moderate - cannot hear conversational speech.
• 70 - 94 dBHL is severe - able to hear some words when shouted.
• > 95 dBHL is profound - unable to hear and understand even a shouted voice. 

You will be eligible if you are 17 years old or older and:

• you have epilepsy and your current experience of seizures means that you would not be eligible for a driving licence;
• you have diabetes and have suffered more than one hypoglycemic attack requiring the assistance of another person within the last 12 months;
• you have a severe mental disorder which means you would be refused a driving licence or have your driving licence revoked by the DVLA; or
• you cannot read a registration plate in good light at 20.5 metres (with lenses).

You will not be eligible if:

• you are refused a driving licence by the DVLA as a result of the misuse of drugs or alcohol;
• you are advised not to drive for medical reasons, or for the sake of your health, but are allowed to keep your driving licence. For example you are recovering from surgery or because driving would make the medical condition worse;
• the reason you cannot drive is short term (less than 12 months) and you are not required to surrender your licence;
• the reason you cannot drive is because of the side effects of medication that you are taking (unless your driving license is revoked or refused because of it);
• you suffer from mental health issues (such as anxiety or depression) which would not cause you to be refused a driving license;
• you have a life-limiting condition or serious illness, unless you are at risk of seizures as a result; or
• you have dementia. Current DVLA guidance states you may be able to drive, but must notify the DVLA. The DVLA acknowledge that there are varied presentations and rates of progression, and the decision on licensing is usually based on medical reports. If you are subsequently refused a driving licence after such assessment, and you can provide evidence of this, you will then become eligible;
• you suffer from mental health issues but are receiving appropriate treatment, meaning you would not be refused a driving licence; or
• you suffer from mental health and cannot provide appropriate evidence to support your application.

Proving that you are eligible

You are only eligible for a bus pass under this category if you are over 17 years old and able to provide the relevant supporting documentation.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 you may be refused a driving licence on the grounds of your medical fitness. Those currently barred from holding a licence include people with:

• epilepsy (unless it is a type that does not pose a danger);
• severe mental disorder;
• liability to sudden attacks of giddiness or fainting;
• inability to read a registration plate in good light at 20.5 metres (with lenses, if worn);or
• other disabilities which are likely to cause the driving of vehicles by them to be a source or danger to the public.

You do not have to apply for a driving licence in order to qualify. However, if you are in possession of a current driving licence you cannot apply under this category. Applicants under this category may have their details passed to the DVLA for the purpose of fraud prevention.

You will be eligible if:

• you are unable to walk at all;
• you can only get about by swinging through crutches (long term);
• you are unable to walk more than 64 metres with severe discomfort;
• it takes an excessive amount of time to walk a short distance (e.g. five minutes to walk 100 metres); or
• the exertion to walk would constitute a danger to your life or would likely lead to serious deterioration in your health.

You will not be eligible if:

• your mobility problems are short term (less than 12 months), or
• you are able to walk relatively normal with the use of an artificial leg.

Proving that you are eligible

You will be eligible if:

• you are unable to communicate in any language. For example, you are unable to make clear basic oral requests or you are unable to ask specific questions to clarify instructions.

You will not be eligible if:

• you have speech but it is too low or difficult to understand. For example, you have a severe stammer; or
• you cannot speak English, but you speak another language.

Proving that you are eligible

When applying for a disabled persons bus pass, you must ensure you have the following to hand:

• a digital passport style photo that clearly shows your full face to upload to your application;
• a valid email address; and
• your supporting evidence.

Additional documents can also be provided to us so we are able to further clarify your identity. To support your application, you will need to choose documents that will prove both your date of birth and your address. 

These documents are to be submitted with your evidence that shows you are eligible for a disabled persons bus pass. Documents that we accept to prove eligibility can be found on our web page under the relevant section to your disability.

Passes can only be used within England and are therefore not valid for travel in other areas of the UK such as Scotland and Wales. Your pass is eligible for travel in North Yorkshire and York on local bus services at any time except between 6am and 9am on weekdays. There are a small number of journeys that are an exception to this where your pass is eligible for travel and these journeys are listed below.

In other areas of England passes generally can only be used from 9.30 am to 11pm weekdays, and anytime on weekends and bank holidays, however it may be worth checking with the area’s authority before you travel. Although your pass will be valid for off peak bus travel in London, it does not allow you to enjoy the additional benefits of a London Freedom Pass as these apply to London residents only.

You can use your pass on the following eligible journeys.

Exceptions to using your pass

You can use the pass on all registered local bus services in England except: 

• you cannot use the pass on long distance coach services;
• passes are not valid on local park and ride services but discounted fares are available; and
• passes are not valid on services that operate primarily for the purposes of tourism (see below).

Services on which passes are not valid  

Other service types

Generally community transport demand responsive services operated under Section 19 permit are not eligible services and concessionary pass holders are not entitled to free travel. A discounted fare will often be offered, please check with the relevant operator.

• The use of bus passes are subject to the terms and conditions of the North Yorkshire and York scheme as well as the terms and conditions of the Operator on whose vehicle the journey is being made.
• All passes must be produced for inspection prior to each journey whether demanded or not, this will be done by the driver scanning the pass on a ticket machine or manually recording the journey.
• Bus passes remain the property of our council and are not transferable. They may only be used by the person whose name and photograph appear on them. Any attempt to use a bus pass fraudulently will result in the pass being withdrawn.
• Only one pass is permitted per eligible resident for fraud prevention purposes.
• Passes will not be valid if they are out of date, illegible, damaged or altered. These may not work on the ticketing machines and the Operator will have the right to confiscate the pass should it be used in any of these conditions.
• Possession of a bus pass gives no priority over other passengers and does not guarantee any person the right to a seat on any such vehicle.
• Bus passes are not valid on taxis, rail services, tour buses, express coach, Park and Ride or coach services, they apply to eligible local bus services only.
• We reserve the right to amend the terms of the travel concession scheme to withdraw, amend or replace any pass.
• If you originally applied for a disabled person concessionary bus pass but either didn’t request the companion enhancement or didn’t qualify, you will automatically be issued an older person bus pass if you are old enough. This means your bus pass will automatically renew every five years without you having to do anything. You will need to let us know if your circumstances change, information on how to do this is under the ‘Change of Circumstances’ section on our website.

Pass holders must comply with our policies for bus pass usage. Further details regarding these can be found on our website under the relevant sections

For information on what we do with your data, please see our privacy notice.

You are obliged to notify us if your pass is lost or stolen to enable us to prevent the pass being used fraudulently. Your old pass will be hotlisted during this process meaning it will no longer be accepted on services, if this happens the Operator is in their right to confiscate your bus pass., this is to reduce the number of cancelled cards in circulation as it reduces the chances of passes being used fraudulently.

Lost, stolen or damaged bus pass

If you have lost or damaged your bus pass, there will be a charge of £10 for a replacement.

If your pass has been stolen, and you have an incident number from the police, we can issue your replacement pass free of charge.

Apply for a replacement bus pass

If you cannot apply online, please get in touch.

Hotlisted bus pass

Once a pass is ‘hotlisted’ it means it has been electronically cancelled and will no longer be accepted on services. If you try to use a hotlisted pass then the Operator is in their right to confiscate this from you.

There are three main reasons why a bus pass will have been cancelled:

1. The pass was reported as lost or stolen and it was replaced. You may have the new pass at home or in another bag or wallet.
2. We wrote to you about your pass and the letter was returned by the Royal Mail. Have you changed address recently?
3. We wrote to you asking for up to date proof of eligibility or asking for you to return the pass. Do you need to confirm your eligibility?

Bus passes not reading correctly

Sometimes a pass may fail to work on the bus card reader. In this case, it can still be used if it is in date, not hotlisted and the driver is satisfied that the picture on the pass is the holder. As the pass is not hotlisted, it is unlikely it will be withdrawn, you should still contact ourselves to let us know it didn’t work as you may need to order a replacement pass.

If you move away from North Yorkshire then you will no longer be entitled to a concessionary bus pass from us. You must return your pass and apply for a pass from your new local authority. If the pass holder dies, please return the pass to us.

All passes returned to us must be accompanied by a covering letter, explaining why the pass is no longer required.

If you move to another part of North Yorkshire, you should call 01609 780780.

If you originally applied for a concessionary bus pass but either didn’t request the companion enhancement or didn’t qualify, you will automatically be issued a disabled person bus pass if you are old enough. This means your bus pass will automatically renew every five years without you having to do anything.

However, if you now require a companion to travel with you, you should contact us so we can issue you with a companion pass. Details on companion passes and the evidence you will need to provide for this can be found under the ‘Companion bus passes’ on our website.

Companion passes are an enhancement to the national scheme and a discretionary element of the North Yorkshire English National Concessionary Scheme. The companion element is only available to those who are eligible for a disabled persons bus pass, providing that the individual can also provide the evidence required for the companion element.

You will be eligible if:

• you are sight impaired (partially sighted) or severely sight impaired (blind); or
• you require support whilst travelling because of your disability.

You will not be eligible if:

• you are a child, but do not meet the evidence criteria below.

Proving that you are eligible

Generally the companion entitlement is only valid for journeys in the issuing authorities’ area, however for some of our adjacent authorities there are reciprocal arrangements where the companion pass will be accepted. The pass will only be accepted for the cross boundary part of the journey, and not for onward journeys.

Participating authorities

• East Riding of Yorkshire Council
• West Yorkshire Combined Authority – WYCA
• Kingston Upon Hull City Council
• South Yorkshire PTE
• North Lincolnshire Council
• North Yorkshire County Council
• North East Lincolnshire Council
• City of York Council

Whilst you are entitled to free travel anywhere in England within permitted off peak times, your companion will only be entitled to free travel on journeys where the local authority allows this discretionary element. If you travel in an area where it is not permissible, your companion will have to pay for their own travel.

You do not have to take the same companion on every journey, but they must board and get off the bus at the same location as you.

If you need any help applying for your bus pass, our web chat service is available during office hours or you can call 01609 780780.

The Equality Act 2010 (the Act) imposes a duty on us to pay due regard to equality in the exercise of its functions. The disabilities recognised under the Act are much wider than those included within the legislation on concessionary travel. We are able to make use of powers to introduce additional “discretionary” concessions, however this does not extend to including a new category of disabled person or using criteria which would not fit with the current definitions of a disabled person. Any eligibility criteria has to relate to the existing categories of disabled person set out in the Transport Act 2000.

Equality and diversity is an important priority for us. Paying due regard to equality is not just a legal obligation, but good customer service. We have given such consideration to additional “discretionary” concessions and currently provide the following enhancements:

• Passes may be used from 9am to 6am as opposed to the statutory requirement of 9.30am to 11pm.
• In addition concessions are accepted on certain 6am to 9am journeys.
• We provide companion passes in certain circumstances.

Residents who are not eligible for a pass, either under the national statutory requirements or North Yorkshire’s local scheme, are not prevented from using local bus services and still have full access to the bus network though they will need to pay the appropriate fare.