Upgraded parking account: On 20 November we upgraded your parking account. Your log in and permit details stay the same, but you’ll buy your permits on the improved, mobile-friendly system. Any questions, contact Customer Services.

Disabled Person's Freedom Pass

  • Important: Pass renewal for 2023/2024

If your current Freedom Pass expires on 31 March 2024, you will receive a letter from Concessionary Travel with details on how to renew your pass. If you do not respond to the letter, your Disabled Person's Freedom Pass will expire.

Anyone who doesn't have their own computer to renew their pass online can go to a Haringey library to use a computer.

To renew your pass, download the application form, complete it and send it back to us (you will find all details at the bottom of the PDF form).

If your renewal is successful, we will notify you in writing and London Councils will send you your new pass before 31 March 2024.

You may start using your new pass as soon as you receive it.


About the Freedom Pass

The Disabled Persons’ Freedom Pass provides free travel at any time in Greater London on buses, the underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway and Croydon Tramlink.

Free travel on National Rail services is also available from 9.30am Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and public holidays.

It may also be used to travel free of charge on local bus services in England outside London between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and public holidays.

Freedom Pass: The Movie

London Councils has made a film to promote the Freedom Pass, Europe’s most comprehensive concessionary travel scheme which is used by more than 1.3million older and disabled Londoners:

Note for iPhone users and Youtube. There is a known bug with iOS and Youtube, Two buttons are read before the player but provide no functionality. We advise that you skip these to access the content.

For more information please visit the Freedom Passes website (external link).

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Eligibility

To be eligible for a Disabled Person's Freedom Pass, both of the following conditions must apply:

  • your sole or principal residence must be in Haringey
  • you have any of the statutory disabilities listed in the Transport Act 2000.

Please note: children under the age of 5 do not require a freedom pass to travel.

There are 2 types of eligibility, depending on the type of statutory disability:

See below all details on the disabilities and the evidence required when you apply for a Disabled Person's Freedom Pass.

Eligibility without further assessment (automatic eligibility)

Applicants may automatically obtain a Freedom Pass if they can provide proof that they qualify under any of the following criteria:

1. People who are blind or partially sighted

Evidence required:

  • copy of Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) showing that you are severely sight impaired/blind. The CVI was formally known as BD8 certificate.

2. People who have a disability or have suffered an injury that has left them with a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk

Evidence required:

  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - a full copy of the current entitlement letter showing receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA or a copy of a current Motability finance agreement.
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - a full copy of the entitlement letter showing you receive a PIP because you can’t walk more than 50 metres (or a score of 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component).
  • A current copy of the entitlement letter showing that you receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement.
  • Proof that you have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1-8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes an inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

3. People who 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'

Evidence required:

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - a full copy of the entitlement letter showing you receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for Descriptor E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress

Applicants who meet the automatic eligibility criteria must complete the Disabled Person's Freedom Pass application form and submit the requested supporting evidence.


Eligible subject to further assessment

Applicants who do NOT meet the automatic eligibility criteria may be considered under discretionary criteria - see all details below.

1. People who are profoundly or severely deaf

Evidence required:

  • Proof of hearing loss of at least 70dbhl. Applicants must provide an audiology report to confirm this.

2. People without speech

Evidence required:

  • Medical evidence of speech impediment.

3. People who have a disability or have suffered an injury that has left them with a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk (not in receipt of a qualifying benefit)

Evidence required:

  • Proof of the walking difficulties and the underlying medical condition.
  • Please note: You will be required to attend a mobility assessment with an independent mobility assessor at the Whittington Health Trust - Integrated Community Therapy Team (ICTT). Once you have been referred to the assessors you will receive a letter inviting you to attend an appointment.

4. People who do not have arms or have a long-term loss of the use of both arms

Evidence required:

  • Supporting medical evidence from a certified expert assessor to verify the disability and how the car has been adapted.
  • Proof of vehicle registration or insurance documents that contain statements to this effect.
  • In addition, if you have registered your vehicle with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) you may also provide a copy of both sides of your photocard driving licence.

5. People who 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'

Evidence required:

  • If you have been assessed as eligible by the Learning Disability Team please provide:
  • the date of your eligibility assessment
  • details of your key worker from the Learning Disability Team

6. People who, 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

    These are people who are deemed medically unfit to drive a vehicle.

    The grounds for denying a driving licence include:

    • epilepsy (unless it is a type that does not pose a danger)
    • a severe mental disorder
    • liability to sudden attacks of giddiness or fainting
    • inability to read a registration plate in good light at 20.05 metres (with lenses if worn)
    • any other disability that is likely to cause the driving of vehicles by them to be dangerous to the public

    Evidence required:

    • Medical evidence issued by a GP and dated within the last 12 months.
    • Letter from the DVLA that relates to the withdrawal of your drivers’ license for medical reasons.

    Applicants who may be considered under discretionary criteria must complete the Disabled Person's Freedom Pass application form and submit the requested supporting evidence.

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    Supporting Documents and Photograph

    Applicants who meet either the automatic or discretionary eligibility criteria are also required to provide supporting documents to prove their identity and Haringey residency. Please make sure the supporting evidence you send are photocopies and not the originals - original documents will not be returned.

    Proof of your name and age

    Please provide one of the following to prove your name and age:

    • Current passport
    • Medical card
    • Birth certificate - unless your name has changed
    • Current driving licence
    • Letter of state pension entitlement - this must include your date of birth
    • European ID card

    Proof of your residential address

    Please provide one of the following to prove your Haringey residential address:

    • Current council tax bill/letter
    • Current council/housing association rent book/statement/letter/tenancy agreement
    • Current television licence

    The following items if dated in the last 3 months are also acceptable:

    • HM Revenue and Customs letter dated in the last 3 months
    • Department for Work and Pensions letter dated in the last 3 months
    • Occupational pension letter dated in the last 3 months

    Passport photograph

    Please also provide a passport-sized photograph. Your photograph must be:

    • in colour and 45mm x 35mm in size
    • a current true likeness, showing your full face, facing forward without a hat
    • taken against a plain, evenly lit and pale-coloured background

    If your photograph does not meet the above requirements we will not be able to accept your application for a Freedom Pass.

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    How to apply

    If you think you are eligible (see notes above) then you will need to download and print the application form below:

    Alternatively, you can contact us for an application pack.

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    Appeals

    Applicants who are unsuccessful will be notified in writing to advise them that they have the right to appeal within 30 days of the original decision.

    An appeal needs to be requested in writing, providing additional medical evidence to support the appeal.

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    Replacing Lost, Stolen or Faulty Passes

    There is now a £12 administration fee for replacing lost or faulty Freedom Passes. Replacements for lost or damaged passes will incur the fee. A charge will be made to replace Freedom Passes which are claimed to be faulty but a refund will be offered if a test proves the pass was faulty. If a crime reference number is provided, no charge will be made to replace a stolen Freedom Pass. But without a crime reference number, the pass would be considered lost.

    If your Freedom Pass has been lost or stolen or is faulty, please contact London Councils on 0300 330 1433. A new pass will be sent to your home address by post within 10 working days.

    For information on replacing your pass please go to:

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    Older Person's Freedom Pass

    See information on the Older Person's Freedom Pass - including the 60+ London Oyster photocard.

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    Fraud Prevention Statement

    Haringey Council is under a duty to protect public funds. The information you provide in this form may be used for the prevention and detection of fraud. We may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for fraud prevention and detection purposes.

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    Page last updated:

    September 25, 2023