Apply for a disabled person's bus pass
You can get a free disabled person's bus pass if you live in Kent and you:
- are blind or partially sighted
- are profoundly or severely deaf
- are without speech
- have a disability or have suffered an injury which affects your walking
- have no arms or can't use either of your arms
- have a learning disability
- would be refused a driving licence due to physical fitness.
Live in Medway? Apply for a bus pass on the Medway Council website.
You do not need to apply for a disabled person's bus pass if you are eligible for an older person's bus pass.
What we need from you
The best way to get your bus pass is to apply online. This means you won't have to photocopy your documents and send it to us by post. Once we have all the information we need from you, we will start to process your application.
As part of the online application process you will need to upload:
A photo of yourself
- A digital photo clearly showing your face.
- Passport-style is best, but not essential if you don't have one.
- The photo must be recently taken in the past 12 months.
Proof of address
A copy of either your:
- driving licence
- utility bill from within the last year
- bank or credit card statement from within the last year
- Council Tax bill from within the last year.
About you
A copy of either your:
- birth certificate (and marriage certificate if your name has changed)
- passport
- driving licence (if you haven't used it for proof of address)
- a letter from the pension service confirming you're eligible for the state pension.
You cannot use the same document as proof of your address and eligibility. A complete application must include two different supporting documents.
Proof of disability
To apply for a disabled person's bus pass, we need information about your disability. All documents should:
- be recent, within the last 12 months or,
- state the expected duration of your condition or there is no expected improvement.
Send us a copy of one of the following:
- a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) letter. Showing 8 points in the moving around or verbal communication sections
- a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
- higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) confirmation letter
- your Blue Badge and permission to check your Blue Badge record. Your badge will only be accepted if the disability category for your Blue Badge also entitles you to a bus pass. If your Blue Badge was awarded in a category which does not entitle you to a buss pass, it will not be accepted.
If you don't have one of the above, find out what to send us:
Send us a copy of either a:
- Kent Association for the Blind registration card
- letter from an eye specialist confirming that you are blind or partially sighted
Send us a copy of either:
- a social services registration letter and orange registration card or letter
- an audiological report from an aural specialist indicating hearing loss has reached 70 to 95 dB HL.
Send us a copy of a letter from a specialist doctor, independent health professional, or registered medical practitioner.
It must confirm you are unable to make clear, basic oral requests, for example to ask for a particular destination or fare.
Send us a copy of a letter from a specialist doctor, independent health professional, or registered medical practitioner.
It must confirm you have a disability or have suffered an injury which has a substantial and long-term effect on your ability to walk
Send us a copy of a letter from a specialist doctor, independent health professional, or registered medical practitioner.
It must confirm you cannot use your arms for day to day tasks.
These tasks include putting coins into a fare machine. They must also say this is a long term or permanent condition.
Conditions such as ADHD, autism and mild learning disabilities are not eligible in this category, unless you also have a reduced ability to understand new or complex information, learn new skills and cope independently.
Evidence we need from you
Send us a copy of one of the following items:
- a social services registration letter, orange card, or letter
- a letter from a headteacher detailing the need for a bus pass
- a letter from a specialist doctor, independent health professional or registered medical practitioner. It must confirm you have a learning disability and that your disability:
- significantly impairs your intelligence and social function
- reduces your ability to learn new skills, understand new or complex information, and cope independently
- must have started before adulthood and have a lasting effect on development.
- a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) letter showing 10 points or more in the planning and following journeys section.
To be eligible under this criteria:
- you have been refused a drivers licence under Section 92. This does not cover anyone who has been refused due to alcohol, drug misuse or those with a driving offence.
- your disability could cause someone to be a danger to the public if you drive. For example:
- dementia
- cardiac disorders
- severe mental disorders
- long term epilepsy.
Evidence we need from you
Provide a copy of one of the following items:
- a letter from the DVLA indicating refusal or withdrawal of your licence for a minimum of 12 months
- a letter from a specialist, independent health professional, or registered medical practitioner. The letter must say you are unfit to drive due to a health condition. It should give the reason and how long the refusal is in place.
Apply
Applying on behalf a school-aged child? Remember the bus pass starts from 9:30am and cannot be used before this time.
Cant apply online? Find out how else you can apply.
What happens next
Once we have your application and all documents, your bus pass will be sent within 28 days of starting the processing. Find out more about using your pass and read the terms and conditions.
If you have not received your pass within 28 days check your junk mail box, in case you've missed an email from us.
Still haven't got your pass? Email buspass@kent.gov.uk and we'll get in touch with you.
We cannot control any delays by the postal service.
Using your new pass
Once you have your bus pass, you can use it right away, just like you would with a new debit or credit card.