Freedom passes

Freedom passes allow free travel on London Transport Buses, Underground, Docklands Light Railway, the Tramlink and Rail Services in London. You can also travel on local buses in England outside London for free.

There are two freedom passes, one for older people and the other for disabled people.

Older Persons Freedom Pass

If you were born on or before 5 April 1950, and your sole or principal residence is a London borough, you can apply for a Freedom Pass to help you get around London.

If you were born on or after 6 April 1950 you need to check when you will become eligible.

Change in Eligible Age

The eligible age for the older persons’ Freedom Pass was linked to the women’s state retirement age in April 2010. The Pensions Act 2011 which received Royal Assent on 3 November moves this retirement age from 65 to 66 in 2020. The provision comes into force on 3 January 2012. People born after 6 April 1953 now have to wait longer to receive their Freedom Pass than had been planned with the 2010 change. In particular people born on or after 6 October 1954 will have to wait to their 66th birthday to get their pass.  The Eligibility Age Checker on the Freedom Pass website has been modified to reflect the changes to the pensionable age and can be found by clicking here.

Read more here on the London Council's webpages about how your eligibility date is calculated, or contact the Council's Accessible Transport Team.

Apply at a post office with one passport sized photograph, proof of age, such as a passport or birth certificate, and proof of your residence within Kensington and Chelsea, for example a Council Tax or utility bill issued within the last three months. To download an application form visit London Council’s Freedom Pass website.

Disabled Persons Freedom Pass

There are three grounds on which applicants may apply:

Mental health disability

To apply under this category please contact your psychiatrist, consultant or the GP who you see for your mental health needs. You will need to arrange an appointment so they can assess you and find out if your symptoms prevent you driving a car.

Physical disability

You are eligible without further assessment if you:

  • receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance
  • receive the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement

You may also qualify for a Freedom Pass if you:

  • cannot use both arms
  • have a condition that prevents you from driving, such as epilepsy 
  • are profoundly or severely deaf
  • have a speech impairment which means you cannot make clear oral requests, or ask specific questions to clarify instructions
  • are blind or partially sighted
  • have a disability which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to walk

You may be asked to attend an interview with our mobility assessor. To request an application form, please contact the Accessible Transport Team (details below).

Learning disability

People with a severe learning disability which severely affects intelligence and functioning may also be eligible for a Freedom Pass.

Replacement of lost, damaged or stolen Freedom Passes

Click here for information if you lose or damage your card.

For more information and help on Freedom Passes and eligibility please contact:
The Accessible Transport Team
Phone: 020 7361 2390 or 020 7361 2546
Email: accessible.transport@rbkc.gov.uk

Other useful information