Freedom Pass

Why might it be of interest?

Many of our young people will be eligible for a Freedom Pass.  There are a number of situations where a person will automatically be entitled if they apply.  Interestingly, this includes young people who are very able but who would not be able to get a driving licence if they applied, ie, young people who would not be able to pass the test or who would not be safe to drive.  This is about a young person’s fitness to drive.

This may well include able young people on the autistic spectrum, for example, but is not limited to any specific conditions.  Under this category you will need medical evidence, for example a doctor to sign off that they would be unable to get a licence.

You might find this link helpful in determining your young person’s fitness to drive:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/assessing-fitness-to-drive-a-guide-for-medical-professionals

Further information on the following pages with links to the relevant LA websites.

There are 7 categories of eligibility for a Disabled Persons Freedom Pass that automatically qualify:

• If you are blind or partially sighted
• If you are profoundly or severely deaf
• If you are without speech
• If you have a disability or injury which has a substantial and long-term adverse affect on your ability to walk
• If you do not have arms or have long term loss of the use of both arms
• If you have a learning disability (that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning)
• If you would, if you applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have your application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol

As you would expect you have to provide evidence and that evidence differs depending on the category you are claiming under.

Adults and children over 5 can apply for a Freedom Pass.

This is a link to the eligibility criteria for each of the above categories on the Richmond website:  https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/roads_and_transport/accessible_travel/freedom_passes/disabled_persons_freedom_pass/disabled_freedom_pass_eligibility

You can find links to the websites of all the London boroughs here:  https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/freedom-pass/apply-freedom-pass/apply-disabled-persons-freedom-pass

I’ve specifically included the Richmond link as it is one of the few that gives you quite a lot of information about the evidence you need under each category before you get into completing the application form.

You need to live at a London address and it needs to be your sole or principle residence – you will have to provide proof of address.  Studying or working in London but living outside a London borough does not qualify.

Apart from the specific evidence needed for the relevant category above you will need:

• A passport photo (within the last 12 months)
• Proof of identity (eg birth certificate, marriage certificate, driving licence, passport)
• Proof of address (eg council tax bill, benefit entitlement letter, HMRC letter, utility bill)

If you are not eligible under the automatic criteria, above, then you can still apply for a Freedom Pass but you will be subject to further assessment.  Basically, if you have a severe mobility impairment (there are several reasons for this) you may be able to get a Freedom Pass and if you have a mental health difficulty and are under a Community Mental Health Team you may be eligible for a Discretionary Disabled Persons Freedom Pass.

Applying for a Freedom Pass

Some LAs have an online application process – so you can complete the application online and upload copies of your evidence.  For others you will have to download and print off the form, complete it and then post it, along with your evidence.

You should not send original documents of your evidence – copies are acceptable and preferred.