National Bus Pass
How to apply for a National Bus Pass
If your sole or principal residence is in the Devon County Council area and you decide to apply for a National Bus Pass you will need to provide:
- A completed application form
(53KB - pdf help). - Proof of residence.
- Proof of age or disability.
- A passport-sized photograph (please see Acceptable photo guidelines for your application (102KB - pdf help) )
Where to send your application
Post all of these items to the address below:
Concessionary Bus Travel, Room 18, Matford Offices,
County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QW
What happens next?
- If your application has been approved, a National Bus Pass will be ordered.
- Your new National Bus Pass will be posted direct to your home address.
- Please allow approximately 10 working days to receive your National Bus Pass.
- If your application is refused you will be contacted in writing with the reason why.
Residents of other council areas should contact their local council for details of how to apply for a National Bus Pass or visit www.direct.gov.uk/buspass
What Proof of eligibility must be provided?
All applicants must provide one proof of residence and one proof of eligibility. Photocopies of original documents are preferred. Devon County Council will not accept responsibility for original documents.
Proof of residence
Acceptable proof - a paper copy of one of the following items with the applicant's name and address:
- Council Tax bill
- Rental agreement
- Utility bill
- Driving licence
- NHS Medical card
Proof of eligibility
Acceptable proof - in on of the eligible categories listed below:
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Department of Work and Pensions letter confirming state retirement pension
- Pension credit letter
Categories 2.a to 2.g
Please note: in all cases, asking your GP to write a supporting letter must be views as the option of 'last resort'. Your GP is not obliged to supply such letters and may charge for this service.
Category 2.a. 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 meters or less (with glasses if worn).
- Disabled persons registration card SS310
- A letter from Children's or Adult and Community Services confirming registration as blind or partially sighted
- Confirmation from an eye specialist, i.e. optometrist or consultant ophthalmologist, that the applicant is registered or registrable as blind or partially sighted.
- Current disabled persons blue badge (please supply a photocopy of both sides).
Category 2.b. Profoundly or severely deaf
- Disabled persons registration card SS310
- A letter from Children's or Adult and Community Services confirming registration as profoundly or severely deaf
- An audiological report, or a report from an aural specialist confirming that the applicant is registrable as profoundly or severely deaf.
Category 2.c. Without speech
Unable to communicate orally in any language (does not include those whose speech is slow or difficult to understand because, for example, of a severe stammer).
- Disabled persons registration card SS310
- A letter from Children's or Adult and Community Services confirming registration as disabled person
- Letter on offical paper from a medical professional that applicant is without speech.
Category 2.d. Has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk.
- Disability Living Allowance with higher rate mobility component
- War Pension with mobility suppliment award letter
- Disabled persons registration card SS310
- A letter from Children's or Adult and Community Services confirming registration as disabled person
- Current disabled persons blue badge (please supply a photocopy of both sides)
- Letter on official paper from a medical professional confirming the applicant cannot walk for distances up to 100 metres without severe discomfort.
Category 2.e - Does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms
- Disability Living Allowance with higher rate mobility component
- Disabled persons registration card SS310
- Current disabled persons blue badge (please supply a photocopy of both sides)
- Letter on official paper from medical professional confirming the applicant has a long-term loss of the use of both arms.
Category 2.f. - Has a learning disability,
that is, a state or 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 of development.
Note: letters which state learning difficulty cannot be accepted.
- Disabled persons registration card SS310
- A letter from Children's or Adult and Community Services confirming registration with a learning disability
- Disability Living Allowance with higher rate care component.
Category 2.g. - Unfit to drive for medical reasons
Would, if they applied for a licence to drive a motor vehicle uder part lll of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have their application refused pursuant to section 92 of that Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.
The misuse of drugs or alcohol is not covered under this scheme.
- Letter from DVLA giving notice of refusal or withdrawal of licence
- Disabled persons registration card SS310
- Current disabled persons blue badge (please supply a photocopy of both sides)
- Disability Living Allowance with higher rate care component
- Letter on official paper from a medical professional confirming a long-term medical condition which renders the applicant ineligible for a driving licence.
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 Disability Living Allowance award documents must be no older than 12 months and show both the allowance awarded and the period of the award.
