Skip to content

Apply for or renew a disabled person's bus pass

Government Announcement:

Changes to Disabled Bus Pass Travel Times

The Government has announced its intention to remove the current time restrictions on the use of disabled bus passes.  This would allow disability bus pass holders to use their bus pass prior to the current 09:30 Monday to Friday restriction.

This change is expected to come into effect from 1 April 2027.

Gloucestershire County Council does not have any additional information to provide at this time. The Government's full announcement can be viewed using the link below:

Free bus travel 24/7 for disabled people as Prime Minister takes further action to ease cost of living - GOV.UK

You can apply for a disability-related bus pass if you are aged 5 or over and have one of the following disabilities:
  • you are blind or partially sighted
  • you are profoundly or severely deaf
  • you cannot speak
  • you have a disability or injury that has a substantial and long-term effect on your ability to walk
  • you do not have arms, or you have long-term loss of the use of both arms 
  • you have a learning disability
  • your driving licence has been refused under section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 because of a medical condition (this does not include refusals related to the misuse of drugs or alcohol)
  • you are unable to drive due to medical grounds
  • you have a valid Blue Badge
  • you score 8 points or more for ‘moving around’ or 'communicating' activity in Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • you receive the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • you receive an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme award with a mobility supplement, or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement.

If you cannot travel alone because of your disability, you may be eligible for a companion bus pass. 

Download a companion C1 form

A companion bus pass allows one person aged 16 or over to travel with you free of charge when you use your pass. 

View the Conditions of Issue and the Use of the Gloucestershire Concessionary Bus Passes)

You can apply for a disability-related bus pass if you are aged 5 or over and have one of the following disabilities:
  • you are blind or partially sighted
  • you are profoundly or severely deaf
  • you cannot speak
  • you have a disability or injury that has a substantial and long-term effect on your ability to walk
  • you do not have arms, or you have long-term loss of the use of both arms 
  • you have a learning disability
  • your driving licence has been refused under section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 because of a medical condition (this does not include refusals related to the misuse of drugs or alcohol)
  • you are unable to drive due to medical grounds
  • you have a valid Blue Badge
  • you score 8 points or more for ‘moving around’ or 'communicating' activity in Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • you receive the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • you receive an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme award with a mobility supplement, or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement.

If you cannot travel alone because of your disability, you may be eligible for a companion bus pass. 

Download a companion C1 form

A companion bus pass allows one person aged 16 or over to travel with you free of charge when you use your pass. 

View the Conditions of Issue and the Use of the Gloucestershire Concessionary Bus Passes)

My first disability-related bus pass:

You can apply for a bus pass online or by visiting a participating Gloucestershire library. If you apply online, you must upload evidence that shows you are eligible. You can download the required evidence forms from this page or request copies by emailing BusPasses2@gloucestershire.gov.uk. 

Apply for a bus pass

If you cannot apply online, you can make an appointment at a participating Gloucestershire library. Library staff will take your photograph during your appointment. You must bring evidence of your disability and proof of address. 

View participating Gloucestershire libraries

To apply, you will need: 

Photograph

You will need a recent colour photograph of yourself. The photograph must:

  • show your head and shoulders
  • show your face clearly
  • show you wearing everyday clothing
  • not include a hat or sunglasses, unless you need them because you are partially sighted or blind

If you apply online, upload a digital passport-style photograph in a PDF or JPG format.

If you apply at a participating Gloucestershire library, staff will take your photograph as part of the application process.

Proof of age

You can use one of the following:

  • Passport
  • Driving licence
  • Medical or optician’s prescription
  • Birth certificate

Proof of address

The document must show your name and address. You can use one of the following: 

  • Driving licence
  • Medical or optician’s prescription
  • Council tax bill
  • Utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Benefit letter
  • NHS medical card

Evidence of your disability

The evidence you will need to apply depends on the qualifying disability or condition you are applying under.

Disability

Evidence required

Blind or partially sighted

Please provide one of the following:

·         Certificate of visual impairment (CVI) completed by an ophthalmologist

·         Evidence of registration with the local authority as being severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted – eg registration card)

·         Veterans – The ‘Reasons for Decision letter under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

 

·         A D3 or D4 form signed by your doctor or consultant. 

Download a D3/D4 form

Profoundly or severely deaf

Please provide one of the following:

·         Veterans – the ‘reasons for Decision’ letter under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)

·         A D2 form signed by your doctor or consultant. 

Download a D2 form

Without speech

Please provide one of the following:

·         Personal Independence Payments (PIP) statement of entitlement which shows 8 or more points for ‘Communicating’

·         For a child, a Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which states that the applicant is non-verbal.

·         A D8 form signed by your doctor or consultant. 

Download a D8 form

Severe walking disability

Please provide one of the following:

·         A Disability Living Allowance (DLA) letter stating you are on the higher rate mobility component dated in the last year.

·         Personal Independence Payment (PIP) document with either 8 points or more for ‘moving around’ or ‘communicating’ only.  You will need to send the whole document that includes the scores you receive for each criteria.  If you do not qualify under PIP, then it is advisable to choose a different option i.e signed D1 form

·         Blue Badge showing an end date of more than 3 months– if you have a valid Blue Badge, you will need to put your number on the application form

·         Veterans – proof you are receiving War Pensioners Mobility Supplement, or ‘Reasons for Decision’ letter under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

·         A D1 form signed by your doctor or consultant.  Download a D1 form

Please note: If you do not qualify under ‘moving around’ or ‘communicating’, you will need to get a D1 form signed by your doctor instead.

Without arms or have long-term loss of both arms

Please provide one of the following:

·         Veterans – the ‘Reasons for Decision’ letter under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)

·         A D7 form signed by your doctor or consultant. 

Download a D7 form

Learning Disability

Please provide one of the following :

·         Information which confirms you have significant impairment of your intelligence i.e. IQ less than 80 AND significant impairment of your social functioning

·         A D5 form signed by your doctor or consultant. 

Download a D5 form

We can also consider the following, but may need further information:

·         Education Health and Care (ECH) Plan

·         Statement of Special Educational Needs

·         8 points or more for ‘communicating on your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) dated in the last year.

Your driving licence has been refused by the DVLA (Driving Licence Vehicle Authority) on medical grounds

Please provide one of the following:

·         A letter from the DVLA dated in the last year stating that your licence has been revoked due to medical issues.

·         A D6 form signed by your doctor, consultant or epilepsy nurse. Download a D6 form

Please note: You won’t be eligible if your driving licence was refused as the result of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol

Unable to Drive due to medical grounds

Please provide one of the following:

·         A letter from the DVLA in the last year stating that your licence has been revoked due to medical issues

·         Have a valid blue badge – you will need to write your blue badge number in the relevant section

·         PIP (Personal Independence Payment) and have 8 points or more for ‘moving around’ or communicating only . You will need to provide evidence of your PIP document dated in the last year, including the scores you receive for each criteria

·         A D6 form signed by your doctor or consultant.  Download a D6 form

DLA – Disability Living Allowance

Please provide evidence of your DLA document dated in the last year.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Award or War Pensioners mobility supplement

Please provide a copy of your latest award or supplement.

Companion

 

If you are unable to travel alone due to your disability please provide a C1 companion form signed by your doctor.  Download a C1 form

General

This authority is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers and to this end may use the information you provide in your application for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes. For further information see www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/fairprocessing.

 

My first disability-related bus pass:

You can apply for a bus pass online or by visiting a participating Gloucestershire library. If you apply online, you must upload evidence that shows you are eligible. You can download the required evidence forms from this page or request copies by emailing BusPasses2@gloucestershire.gov.uk. 

Apply for a bus pass

If you cannot apply online, you can make an appointment at a participating Gloucestershire library. Library staff will take your photograph during your appointment. You must bring evidence of your disability and proof of address. 

View participating Gloucestershire libraries

To apply, you will need: 

Photograph

You will need a recent colour photograph of yourself. The photograph must:

  • show your head and shoulders
  • show your face clearly
  • show you wearing everyday clothing
  • not include a hat or sunglasses, unless you need them because you are partially sighted or blind

If you apply online, upload a digital passport-style photograph in a PDF or JPG format.

If you apply at a participating Gloucestershire library, staff will take your photograph as part of the application process.

Proof of age

You can use one of the following:

  • Passport
  • Driving licence
  • Medical or optician’s prescription
  • Birth certificate

Proof of address

The document must show your name and address. You can use one of the following: 

  • Driving licence
  • Medical or optician’s prescription
  • Council tax bill
  • Utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Benefit letter
  • NHS medical card

Evidence of your disability

The evidence you will need to apply depends on the qualifying disability or condition you are applying under.

Disability

Evidence required

Blind or partially sighted

Please provide one of the following:

·         Certificate of visual impairment (CVI) completed by an ophthalmologist

·         Evidence of registration with the local authority as being severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted – eg registration card)

·         Veterans – The ‘Reasons for Decision letter under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

 

·         A D3 or D4 form signed by your doctor or consultant. 

Download a D3/D4 form

Profoundly or severely deaf

Please provide one of the following:

·         Veterans – the ‘reasons for Decision’ letter under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)

·         A D2 form signed by your doctor or consultant. 

Download a D2 form

Without speech

Please provide one of the following:

·         Personal Independence Payments (PIP) statement of entitlement which shows 8 or more points for ‘Communicating’

·         For a child, a Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which states that the applicant is non-verbal.

·         A D8 form signed by your doctor or consultant. 

Download a D8 form

Severe walking disability

Please provide one of the following:

·         A Disability Living Allowance (DLA) letter stating you are on the higher rate mobility component dated in the last year.

·         Personal Independence Payment (PIP) document with either 8 points or more for ‘moving around’ or ‘communicating’ only.  You will need to send the whole document that includes the scores you receive for each criteria.  If you do not qualify under PIP, then it is advisable to choose a different option i.e signed D1 form

·         Blue Badge showing an end date of more than 3 months– if you have a valid Blue Badge, you will need to put your number on the application form

·         Veterans – proof you are receiving War Pensioners Mobility Supplement, or ‘Reasons for Decision’ letter under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

·         A D1 form signed by your doctor or consultant.  Download a D1 form

Please note: If you do not qualify under ‘moving around’ or ‘communicating’, you will need to get a D1 form signed by your doctor instead.

Without arms or have long-term loss of both arms

Please provide one of the following:

·         Veterans – the ‘Reasons for Decision’ letter under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)

·         A D7 form signed by your doctor or consultant. 

Download a D7 form

Learning Disability

Please provide one of the following :

·         Information which confirms you have significant impairment of your intelligence i.e. IQ less than 80 AND significant impairment of your social functioning

·         A D5 form signed by your doctor or consultant. 

Download a D5 form

We can also consider the following, but may need further information:

·         Education Health and Care (ECH) Plan

·         Statement of Special Educational Needs

·         8 points or more for ‘communicating on your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) dated in the last year.

Your driving licence has been refused by the DVLA (Driving Licence Vehicle Authority) on medical grounds

Please provide one of the following:

·         A letter from the DVLA dated in the last year stating that your licence has been revoked due to medical issues.

·         A D6 form signed by your doctor, consultant or epilepsy nurse. Download a D6 form

Please note: You won’t be eligible if your driving licence was refused as the result of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol

Unable to Drive due to medical grounds

Please provide one of the following:

·         A letter from the DVLA in the last year stating that your licence has been revoked due to medical issues

·         Have a valid blue badge – you will need to write your blue badge number in the relevant section

·         PIP (Personal Independence Payment) and have 8 points or more for ‘moving around’ or communicating only . You will need to provide evidence of your PIP document dated in the last year, including the scores you receive for each criteria

·         A D6 form signed by your doctor or consultant.  Download a D6 form

DLA – Disability Living Allowance

Please provide evidence of your DLA document dated in the last year.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Award or War Pensioners mobility supplement

Please provide a copy of your latest award or supplement.

Companion

 

If you are unable to travel alone due to your disability please provide a C1 companion form signed by your doctor.  Download a C1 form

General

This authority is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers and to this end may use the information you provide in your application for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes. For further information see www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/fairprocessing.

 

We generally renew your bus pass automatically if you have used it in the last 13 months and we have evidence that your disability is permanent.

If we do not have enough information to confirm that you are still eligible, you will need to reapply. 

You will usually need to reapply if your bus pass was issued because you:

  • have a severe walking disability  OR
  • you have had your driving licence refused by the DVLA/are unable to drive due to medical grounds.

If you need to reapply, we will normally send you a letter one month before your pass expires. 

If you have not received your new bus pass by the start of the month in which your current pass expires, you can renew your pass online.  

Start your online renewal

If you cannot use the online system, you can renew your pass at a participating Gloucestershire library.

View a list of participating Gloucestershire libraries

We generally renew your bus pass automatically if you have used it in the last 13 months and we have evidence that your disability is permanent.

If we do not have enough information to confirm that you are still eligible, you will need to reapply. 

You will usually need to reapply if your bus pass was issued because you:

  • have a severe walking disability  OR
  • you have had your driving licence refused by the DVLA/are unable to drive due to medical grounds.

If you need to reapply, we will normally send you a letter one month before your pass expires. 

If you have not received your new bus pass by the start of the month in which your current pass expires, you can renew your pass online.  

Start your online renewal

If you cannot use the online system, you can renew your pass at a participating Gloucestershire library.

View a list of participating Gloucestershire libraries

Lost or stolen bus passes can be replaced online or by visiting a participating Gloucestershire library.

Apply for a replacement bus pass

View participating Gloucestershire Libraries

A replacement bus pass costs £10 if your pass was lost or damaged.

If your pass was stolen, we will replace it free of charge if you provide a police crime reference number.

Once you request a replacement, your old pass will be cancelled and can no longer be used.

Your replacement card should arrive within 5 to 7 working days. 

If you need help with your online application, please contact the bus pass team on 01452 426265 (Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm) or email buspasses@gloucestershire.gov.uk. If you leave a voicemail message, we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Lost or stolen bus passes can be replaced online or by visiting a participating Gloucestershire library.

Apply for a replacement bus pass

View participating Gloucestershire Libraries

A replacement bus pass costs £10 if your pass was lost or damaged.

If your pass was stolen, we will replace it free of charge if you provide a police crime reference number.

Once you request a replacement, your old pass will be cancelled and can no longer be used.

Your replacement card should arrive within 5 to 7 working days. 

If you need help with your online application, please contact the bus pass team on 01452 426265 (Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm) or email buspasses@gloucestershire.gov.uk. If you leave a voicemail message, we will get back to you as soon as possible.