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 to 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; or
• your condition started after you became an adult (for example a brain injury).

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 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.

Proving that you are eligible

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

We will automatically renew your disabled persons bus pass if you originally applied under the following circumstances:

• blind or partially sighted;
• you do not have arms or have long term loss of the use of both arms;
• you are profoundly or severely deaf; or
• you are without speech. 

You will receive your automatically renewed pass in the post approximately ten days before your old pass runs out. Please make sure we have your correct address. 

We will not automatically renew your disabled persons bus pass if you originally applied under the following circumstances:

• you have a learning disability;
• you would be, or have been, refused a driving licence; or
• your condition has a substantial and long term adverse effect on your ability to walk.

Customers who applied for their pass online will be sent an automatic reminder to reapply approximately four to six weeks before your current pass expires. Postal renewal reminder letters are no longer sent out. 

You can renew your pass online 30 days before the given expiry date shown on your bus pass. When renewing your disabled persons bus pass you will need to, once again, provide documentary evidence as you did when you applied initially to ensure you still meet one or more of the eligibility criteria.

If you still meet the eligibility criteria we will also make a decision, on a case by case basis, to decide if you qualify for an automatic renewal. If eligible, for future passes, you will receive this in the post approximately ten days before your old one runs out. Please make sure we have your correct address.

If you have moved out of North Yorkshire and your pass is due to expire, then you will need to reapply with your new local authority. Further details about what you will need to do can be found below, under the ‘Change of circumstance’ section. 

If you are unsure whether you would be eligible for an automatic renewal, or have any further queries please contact us.

If you move away from North Yorkshire, you must return your pass and apply for a pass from your new local authority. Please include a covering letter to explain why you have returned your pass. If the pass holder dies, please return the pass to us.

If you move to another part of North Yorkshire, you should phone us and select option 3 to tell us your change of address.

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

Assistance to complete your online application is available at the following libraries. Please phone the library before visiting, to check they are able to assist when you plan to visit.

• Harrogate
• Malton
• Northallerton
• Richmond
• Scarborough
• Selby
• Skipton

Please remember to bring your supporting evidence with you.

Access to a computer and scanner, for uploading supporting evidence, is available at all local libraries. Please phone the library before you visit as you may need to go on a specific day or time.

When boarding a bus show your pass to the driver then place it on the ticket machine to record your journey. On some buses without this equipment, the driver will record your journey manually.

The North Yorkshire and York scheme allows some disabled pass holders to receive the free concession for a companion travelling with them in North Yorkshire and City of York. The companion entitlement is not generally available elsewhere in England. However, some scheme areas may allow free travel for a companion so do ask when you board the bus. 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.

General terms and conditions of a bus pass

Use of the pass is 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.

Possession of a bus pass gives no priority over other passengers and does not guarantee any person the right to a seat on any vehicle.

The county council reserves the right to amend the terms of the scheme and to withdraw, amend or replace any pass.

The pass remains the property of the county council and is not transferable. It may be used only by the person whose name and photograph appear on it. Any attempt to use the pass fraudulently will result in the pass being withdrawn.

The pass is not valid if it is out-of-date, illegible, damaged or altered.

Frequently asked questions

When exactly can I travel?

Your pass is valid for use on bus services in York and North Yorkshire from 9am to 6am the following morning on weekdays and anytime on a weekend and bank holidays. Elsewhere in England it can generally only be used from 9.30am to 11pm weekdays and anytime on weekends and bank holidays.

Can I travel anywhere in England for free?

Yes, but you cannot travel in other areas of the UK, for example Scotland and Wales.

Is my pass valid for travel in London?

Yes, your pass is valid for free off peak bus travel in London. Only London residents can enjoy the additional benefits offered by the London Freedom Pass such as free travel on the underground.

Can I use my bus pass on any bus service?

No. The vast majority of bus services will accept your pass for free travel. Some services such as tour buses, park and ride, or services primarily for the purpose of tourism are excluded. Your pass will generally entitle you to a reduced fare on these services.

Can I use my pass on any other transport?

No. Bus passes are not valid for taxis, rail services, tour buses, park and ride or coach services. They are only valid on eligible local bus services.

What do I do if my pass is lost or stolen?

You must tell us, as this will help prevent it being used fraudulently. We will send you a replacement pass.

Do I have to pay for a replacement pass?

If your pass has been stolen, and you can supply a crime reference number, there will be no charge. If your pass has been lost or damaged there will usually be a £5 charge.

I am moving house. What do I need to do?

You must contact us and notify us of your change of address.

If you are moving out of North Yorkshire you must return your pass, as you are no longer entitled to the concession from the county council. You will be able to apply for a pass from your new local authority.

A person is eligible for a companion pass if they cannot travel alone because of their disability. Companion passes are an enhancement to the national scheme and a discretionary element of the North Yorkshire English National Concessionary Scheme. 

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 PTE
• Kingston Upon Hull City Council
• South Yorkshire PTE
• North Lincolnshire 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.

Lost, stolen or damaged bus pass

If you have lost or damaged your disabled persons buss pass, there will be a charge of £5 for a replacement.

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

Please phone us and select option 3 to arrange for a replacement pass.

Once a replacement pass has been requested, your old one will stop working. If your pass was damaged, you will still be able to use it by showing it to the driver until your new one arrives. The driver must be able to tell that it belongs to you by clearly seeing the photo on the front of the pass.

Hotlisted bus pass

A hotlisted bus pass is one that we have cancelled electronically and is no longer valid for travel.

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?

We have asked bus drivers to remove hotlisted cards from users and return them to the council. This is to reduce the number of cancelled cards in circulation.

Please note that each eligible resident is only entitled to one concessionary bus pass. This is to reduce the likelihood of the pass being used by those who are not entitled to travel. When a pass holder has a change in circumstances, such as moving house, they must contact us to arrange for a replacement pass.

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, but we should be contacted to let us know it didn’t work.

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, in other areas of England it can generally only be used from 9.30am to 11pm weekdays and anytime on weekends and bank holidays, however this 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.

The following services are an exception to this and you can use your pass between 6am and 9am.

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  

Yorkshire Dales area - summer 2019

*ENCTS passes are valid for journeys on these services commencing outside of North Yorkshire. 

Scarborough area

Other areas

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.

 Download our concessionary fares scheme guide here (pdf / 116 KB).