The Complete Guide to Disabled Persons' Bus Passes in the UK

For many disabled people, public transport is a lifeline—whether it’s for independence, socialising, or everyday errands. Thankfully, the UK offers Disabled Bus Passes, providing free or discounted travel for those who qualify.

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If you have a disability that makes travelling more challenging, these passes can help make getting around easier and more affordable. However, the name of the pass and the application process vary depending on where you live.

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Our comprehensive guide breaks it all down, showing you who’s eligible and how to apply—wherever you are in the UK.

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Who Can Get a Disabled Bus Pass in England?

In England, you can apply for a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass administered under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You are blind or partially sighted.
• You are deaf or have a severe hearing impairment.
• You are unable to speak or have a severe speech impairment.
• You have a disability that makes it difficult to walk (e.g., arthritis, MS, or a permanent injury).
• You don’t have arms or have long-term loss of use of both arms.
• You have a learning disability (significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning).
• You would be refused a driving licence on medical fitness grounds (not due to drug or alcohol dependency).

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Local councils assess applications individually, so if you’re unsure whether you qualify, it’s worth checking with them.

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Concessions on train travel in the UK

The Disabled Person’s Railcard in England is another handy tool for travel, offering 1/3 off train travel for disabled passengers and one accompanying adult. It costs £20 for one year or £54 for three years, making it a great way to save on rail fares. To qualify, you must provide proof of eligibility.

Please note that the discount does not apply to rail travel in Northern Ireland - you can only use your railcard within England, Wales and Scotland.

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Disabled Bus Passes in Scotland

If you live in Scotland, concessionary travel is available to those who either receive or, if living in a care home or hospital, are eligible for any of the following benefits:

• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• War Pension Constant Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance - higher rate of the mobility component, or higher or middle rate of the care component
• Adult Disability Payment
• Child Disability Payment – higher rate of the mobility component, or higher or middle rate of the care component
• Pension Age Disability Payment

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If you meet the above criteria, or are severely sight impaired, a companion can travel with you - also for free!

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Additionally, you are also eligible for free bus travel in Scotland if you:

• Are a Blue Badge holder
• Are profoundly or severely deaf
• Have a sight impairment
• Have been told not to drive on medical grounds
• Have a mental health condition that is recognised under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and has lasted for more than a year
• Have a learning disability
• Have lost one or more limbs
• Have a progressive degenerative condition that affects mobility
• Are an injured veteran with mobility problems, or are in receipt of War Pensioner Mobility Supplement

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Concessionary Travel Card in Wales

For those living in Wales, the Concessionary Travel Card gives free travel on bus services that operate in Wales. To be eligible, you must:

• Have a high enough level/award on state benefits such as PIP and DLA, or from the Veterans UK or MOD
• Be registered blind or severely sight impaired
• Be profoundly or severely deaf
• Be without speech
• Have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term effect on your ability to walk
• Don't have arms or have long-term loss of use of both arms
• Have a learning disability
• Would be refused a driving licence on the grounds of physical fitness
• Be seriously injured armed personnel or veterans who fall within the above categories of disability

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You can also travel for free on certain Transport for Wales trains:

• Wrexham - Hawarden Bridge
• Machynlleth - Pwllheli (Cambrian Coastline) - October to March only
• Llandudno - Blaenau Ffestiniog (Conwy Valley line)
• Shrewsbury and Llanelli/Swansea (Heart of Wales Line) - October to March only

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Plus you get 1/3 off trains in the Cardiff and Valley network, any day and time of the week except before 9.30am on weekdays.

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Concessionary travel in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland operates a similar travel scheme for disabled people called the SmartPass. If you're blind or a war disablement pensioner, your SmartPass enables you to travel for free on buses and trains.

The SmartPass gets you 50% off bus and rail travel if you:

• Get the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Have had a driving licence refused or revoked on medical grounds
• Have a recognised learning disability
• Are partially-sighted (sight impaired)

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How to Apply for a Disabled Bus Pass

To access the travel concessions mentioned in this article, you’ll need to apply for the appropriate pass and provide proof of your disability.

• In England and Wales, you'll need to apply for the disabled person's bus pass through your local council.
• If you're a Northern Ireland resident, learn more about the SmartPass here.
• For those in Scotland, apply through your council or online here.

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Your proof of disability might include a letter confirming that you receive one of the eligible government benefits listed, a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI), or other relevant documentation. Be sure to check the links above for specific details on what you’ll need when applying.

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Need More Support?

If you need help with your application or require extra support, your local council’s transport department may be able to assist you.

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The National Disability Card can also make life easier by helping you access additional support in airports, and in shops and venues. Visit disabilityid.co.uk to find out how it could benefit you.