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Disabled person's bus pass

A disabled person's bus pass provides 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, check your residence is in West Northamptonshire using the GOV.UK postcode checker.

You will need to provide proof of eligibility to support your application.

You will need to provide one of the following documents to prove your age.
  • current driving licence
  • current passport
  • birth certificate
  • hospital or doctor’s letters, prescriptions, or other official medical correspondence that clearly state the applicant’s date of birth

You will need to provide one of the following documents (dated within the last 3 months) to prove your address.
  • letter from a doctor
  • utility bill
  • bank or credit card statement
  • medical or optical prescription
  • driving licence - issued within the last year
  • Council Tax bill - for the current year

To qualify for a disabled person’s bus pass, you must meet one of the eligibility categories and provide the evidence listed.

Check the GOV.UK guidance on assessing eligibility for concessionary bus travel.

If you request a signed letter from your GP to confirm a diagnosis, this may be considered a private service and could incur a fee.

Category A: is blind or partially sighted

You may qualify if you are registered as blind or partially sighted.

You can provide one of the following:

  • a yellow registration card
  • a registration card or letter from Social Services
  • medical evidence signed by a medical professional
  • a Certificate of Vision Impairment signed by a Consultant Ophthalmologist

Category B: is profoundly or severely deaf

You may qualify if your hearing loss is more than 70 decibels Hearing Level.

You can provide one of the following:

  • an Audiological Evaluation or report from an aural specialist
  • a signed letter or report from a medical professional
  • a letter from Social Services

Category C: is without speech

You may qualify if you cannot speak.

You can provide one of the following:

  • a registration card
  • medical evidence signed by a medical professional
  • a letter from Social Services

Category D: is severe and long-term difficulty walking

You may qualify if your disability or injury has a substantial and long-term effect on your ability to walk.

You can provide one of the following:

  • a Blue Badge (issued by West Northamptonshire Council)
  • a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions showing you receive the Higher Rate Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • evidence that you scored 8 points or more for the “Moving around” activity of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • medical evidence signed by a medical professional
  • a letter from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency confirming “permanent or substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking”
  • evidence that you receive the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Category E: is no arms or long-term loss of use of both arms

You may qualify if you do not have arms or cannot use both arms over the long term.

You can provide one of the following:

  • medical evidence signed by a medical professional
  • a letter from Social Services

Category F: has a learning disability

You may qualify if you have a learning disability that affects both your intellectual ability and your social functioning.

This includes conditions such as:

  • Down’s syndrome
  • some autistic spectrum disorders
  • other learning disabilities that cause:
    • difficulty understanding new or complex information
    • difficulty learning new skills
    • challenges coping independently

Living independently does not mean you must live alone, you may still need support with daily tasks even if you live independently.

You will not qualify if your condition is due to:

  • dyslexia
  • ADHD or ADD
  • dyspraxia
  • mental health conditions

You may qualify if your condition is severe enough that you would be refused a driving licence. See Category G for details.

You can provide one of the following:

  • a letter from a learning disability co‑ordinator at your school or college
  • for a child, a Statement of Special Educational Needs
  • a letter from the head of a special school or college
  • a letter from Social Services or another support organisation (for example, Mencap)
  • a letter from the manager of your residential home or supported accommodation
  • medical evidence signed by a medical professional (you may be charged for this)

Any letter must clearly describe your disability so we can confirm whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

Category G: would be refused a driving licence

You may qualify if you would be refused a driving licence on medical grounds under Part 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Section 92).

This does not include refusal due to the ongoing misuse of drugs or alcohol.

A licence may be refused if you have a condition that makes driving unsafe, including:

  • epilepsy (unless well controlled or only occurring at night)
  • severe mental disorders, including dementia, that affect judgement or awareness
  • conditions causing sudden fainting or giddiness
  • being unable to read a number plate at 20.5 metres, even with glasses or contact lenses
  • other physical or neurological disabilities that affect safe driving

You can provide one of the following:

  • a letter from the DVLA
  • medical evidence signed by a medical professional

Any letter must clearly describe your disability so we can assess your eligibility.

How to apply

You can apply online for a pass:

Apply now

Get help with your application at a local library

You can visit one of 18 libraries in West Northamptonshire to get help with your bus pass application:

Apply at a West Northamptonshire Council library

If you are visiting a West Northamptonshire Council library, please bring your proof of eligibility documents with you. Your photograph will be taken at the library as part of the application process.

Apply at a community library

If you are visiting a community library, staff can only assist customers with applications and help upload documents within the customer public portal.

When you will receive your pass

Once your application is approved, your pass will typically arrive within 10 working days.

Lost or stolen bus pass

If your bus pass has been lost or stolen, please contact us promptly to request a replacement.

Please include your:

  • full name
  • address
  • date of birth

This helps us find your record. Your request will be handled by the Public Transport team. Libraries no longer process replacement bus pass requests.

Your replacement pass should arrive within 10 working days.

Renewing your bus pass

Contact us to renew your bus pass up to 60 days before your current pass expires.

To renew your pass, please email your supporting documents proving eligibility to [email protected].

Alternatively, you can apply in person at your nearest library. Please bring your proof of eligibility documents with you.

You cannot currently renew a disabled person’s bus pass online, as updated proof of eligibility documents must be resubmitted.

Last updated 02 February 2026