You may be eligible for a National Bus Pass if you have a disability that is considered permanent, or is likely to last at least 12 months. The disability should have a substantial effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
There are seven disability categories:
- Blind or partially sighted
- Profoundly or severely deaf
- Without speech
- Severe difficulty in walking
- Without arms or has a long-term loss of the use of both arms
- Learning Disability
- Unfit to hold a driving licence
Further information about the eligibility criteria for each category, as well as guidance about providing evidence of disability, is listed below:
| Category 2a: Blind or partially sighted A person can be registered as sight impaired (partially sighted) if they have a full field of vision but can only read the top letters of the eye test chart at a distance of 6 metres or less (with glasses if worn). |
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| Category 2b: Profoundly or severely deaf A severe hearing loss is defined as being between 70-95 dBHL, a profound hearing loss is defined as being above 95 dBHL. |
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| Category 2c: Without speech Unable to communicate orally in any language (does not include those whose speech is slow or difficult to understand, for example, due to a severe stammer). |
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| Category 2d: Has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term, adverse effect on their ability to walk Proof in this category may be checked periodically depending on the type of proof provided. |
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| Category 2e: Does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms |
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| Category 2f: Has a learning disability Defined as a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning. The disability must have started before adulthood and have a lasting effect on development.ADHD and Dyslexia are notlearning disabilities. Letters which state learning difficultycannot be accepted. |
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| Category 2g: Unfit to Drive for medical reasons The applicant would, if they applied for a licence to drive a motor vehicle under part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have their application refused pursuant to section 92 of that Act (physical fitness).The misuse of drugs or alcohol is not covered under this scheme. Proof in this category may be checked periodically depending on the type of proof provided. |
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War veterans in receipt of a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement or compensation for an injury in tariffs 1-8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme are likely to qualify for a National Bus Pass in one of the above categories.
Any Blue Badge must be valid for more than 12 months and be issued by Devon County Council.
Any Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment award documents must be no older than 12 months and show both the allowance awarded and the period of the award.
Please note: the Department for Transport strongly advises against using your GP to verify that you meet the criteria for a concessionary travel pass as this approach may compromise the doctor / patient relationship. In the case of assessment of fitness to hold a driving licence due to, for example, epilepsy or mental health problems, a neurologist or mental health professional are often best placed to assess eligibility due to their professional knowledge of the DVLA’s fitness to drive standards.
Photocopies of original documents are preferred. Devon County Council can accept no responsibility for original documents.
