03 September 2010Please note new changes to the national bus permits will come into effect on 6 April.
From 6 April we will be offering a National Countrywide bus permit to all eligible older and disabled people in the district allowing free travel throughout England, including all London Boroughs (but excluding Scotland and Wales). In Kent this permit can be used after 9am Monday to Friday and at any time at weekends and Bank Holidays. In all other areas of England this permit will only be accepted between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday and at ant time at the weekends and Bank Holidays. The bus permit is valid until 31 March 2011.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for a bus permit you must be a permanent resident within the Sevenoaks District Council area and be of pensionable age in line with the Department for Transport guidelines as detailed below.
Date of birth |
Date eligible for a bus permit |
Before 5 April 1950 |
Now |
6 April 1950 to 5 May 1950 |
6 May 2010 |
6 May 1950 to 5 June 1950 |
6 July 2010 |
6 June 1950 to 5 July 1950 |
6 September 2010 |
6 July 1950 to 5 August 1950 |
6 November 2010 |
6 August 1950 to 5 September 1950 |
6 January 2011 |
6 September 1950 to 5 October 1950 |
6 March 2011 |
6 October 1950 to 5 November 1950 |
6 May 2011 |
6 November 1950 to 5 December 1950 |
6 July 2011 |
6 December 1950 to 5 January 1951 |
6 September 2011 |
6 January 1951 to 5 February 1951 |
6 November 2011 |
6 February 1951 to 5 March 1951 |
6 January 2012 |
6 March 1951 to 5 April 1951 |
6 March 2012 |
View the ready reckoner tool on the DirectGov website.
Residents who have a disability are also eligible provided they fall into one or more of the following categories in line with the Department for Transport guidelines as detailed below. Please state which category (a-g) you are applying under on the application form.
An eligible disabled person is someone who:
a) Is blind or partially sighted
b) Is profoundly or severely deaf
c) Is without speech
d) Has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to walk
e) Does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms
f) Has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
g) Would, if he or she applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have his/her application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.
How to apply for a permit
The application form is available to download. You will need to print it then send it back to us once completed. Alternatively if you would like us to send you an application form by post please complete the online request form or call 01732 227000 or Minicom users 01732 227496 (text telephones only). You can also write to us at the address below.
PDF File 57KB file details) PDF File 60KB file details)You will need to provide an up-to-date colour passport photograph with your surname and postcode detailed on the back. Unfortunately pictures produced at home or removed from other items are not acceptable.
We also require proof of your eligibility. Please send photocopies only.
Older people must include a copy of any of the documents listed below to prove your age and current address:
People who have a disability must provide proof of their age and address. We also require certification of eligibility for example proof of receipt of the Disability Living Allowance mobility component at the HIGHER rate, registration with Kent Association for the Blind or KCC Deaf Services, a letter from the DVLA refusing or revoking a driving licence due to disability.
A companion bus pass can be issued to disabled people who receive the DLA higher rate mobility component allowing a carer to travel with them but this is at our discretion. If you feel that you need this please send a separate covering letter with your application stating your reasons why.
Applications can only be processed by post. Please complete and return the form and send it to the address below.
Sevenoaks District Council Offices, BUS PERMITS, Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HG
Please allow 10 working days from receipt of application for the arrival of your permit.
Lost or damaged your bus permit?
If your bus permit is lost or damaged there is a charge of £5 to issue a replacement. However the charge is waived if the pass was stolen but a police crime reference number must be included on the form. You can download and print the replacement request form then send it back to us along with a cheque if applicable or call us on 01732 227000 or Minicom users 01732 227496 (text telephones only) and we will send one out to you.
PDF File 235KB file details)Alternatively, if you would like us to send you a bus permit application form by post, please complete the on-line form below:
Fields marked with * must be completed.
You can also write to:
Sevenoaks District Council
BUS PERMITS
Council Offices
Argyle Road
Sevenoaks
TN13 1HG
