Freedom Pass

There are 2  types of Freedom Pass, each have separate eligibility requirements. You must meet all of the requirements to be eligible for a Freedom Pass.

A Freedom Pass has a 5 year expiry date from when it was issued.

This denotes the lifespan of the card, and does not indicate how long someone is entitled to hold the pass for.

Therefore, if you no longer meet the eligibility criteria for the Freedom Pass, such as moving out of London, the Freedom Pass you hold can be stopped.

Older Person's Freedom Pass

The older person's Freedom pass is available to all London residents over the age of 66.

Age

You become eligible for an older person's Freedom Pass on your 66th birthday, however, you can start your application process 14 days before your 66th birthday.

For example, if you were born 1st March 1964, you would be eligible for a Freedom pass 1st March 2032, however, you could begin your application process 16th February 2032.

You will need to provide proof of your age.

Residency

To be eligible:

• you must live at a London address, and this needs to be your sole or principal residence, which means you live there most of the time
• you will need to provide proof of address
• if you work or study in London but do not live there, you will not be eligible for a Freedom Pass
• if you move out of London, you are no longer eligible for a Freedom Pass. You may however be eligible for other concessionary fares from your new local authority, which could still allow you free travel on London's bus network

Disabled person's Freedom Pass

The Disabled Person's Freedom Pass is available to London residents (aged 5 and over) with eligible disabilities.

Disability

You can apply for a Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass if you have any of the following statutory disabilities listed in the Transport Act 2000. People who:

• are blind or partially sighted 
• are profoundly or severely deaf
• do not have speech
• have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has left them with a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk
• do not have arms or have a long-term loss of the use of both arms
• have a learning disability that is defined as 'a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning'
• if they applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, would have their application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

Residency

To be eligible:

• you must live at a London Address, and this needs to be your sole or principal residence, which means you live there most of the time
• you will need to provide proof of address
• if you work or study in London but do not live there, you will not be eligible for a Freedom Pass
• if you move out of London, you are no longer eligible for a Freedom Pass - you may however be eligible for other concessionary fares from your new local authority, which could still allow you free travel on London's bus network

Documents needed

To support your application you will need:

• a passport photograph taken within the last 12 months
• proof of your identity, for example a copy of your birth or adoption certificate, marriage or divorce certificate, or valid driving licence or passport
• proof of your address, for example a copy of your council tax bill, a benefit entitlement letter dated within the last 12 months, HM Revenue and Customs letter dated within the last six months, utility bill (excluding mobile phone bills) dated within the last 3 months
• copies of any other documents and evidence we need to support your application; this may be a complete benefit award letter that shows your entitlement or recent medical evidence to verify your eligibility