Weather disruption
Winter weather is causing disruption to services in some parts of the county. Find out what services may be affected in your area.
Who is eligible
'Eligible disabled' means you:
- are blind or partially sighted
- are profoundly or severely deaf
- are without speech
- have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term effect on your ability to walk
- don't have arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms
- have a learning disability
- are a member or Veteran of the Armed Services who has been seriously injured in service
You're also eligible disabled if your application for a driving licence would be refused under section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (physical fitness). However, you won't be eligible if you were refused because of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.
Apply online
Apply for a free disabled person's bus pass online.
Apply by post
You can download a print-friendly version of the form to complete and post back to us.
Include your photograph in the envelope with the application form.
Please note: If you are unable to download an application form, copies are available from your local library.
Alternatively phone us on 0300 330 1201 from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) and we will post a form to you.
Please tell us if you need a large print version.
Calls are charged at the national rate.
Renew your pass
We will write to you if you need to supply new evidence to renew your bus pass. If you don't hear from us and your circumstances have not changed you do not need to do anything. Your new pass will automatically be sent to you about a week before your old pass expires.
If your circumstances have changed before your pass expires, you can amend your address or photograph or provide up-to-date proof of your disability online.
You should do this around 60 days before your pass expires.
You may be entitled to a companion pass if you are not able to:
- regularly make a journey without requiring assistance from a travelling companion to either get on and off the bus, or
- find out information about the journey (such as a route number or when to get off the bus)
Currently, you cannot apply for a companion pass online. Call us to apply for a companion pass.
A specialist’s opinion (someone independent who understands your medical condition) on travel arrangements will be taken into consideration when the application is being assessed. Companion travel is not permitted everywhere in England. You cannot use the companion element (if applicable) of a companion pass outside of the Dorset Council area.
You can travel free on local buses in Dorset from 9.30am to 11pm on Monday to Friday and any time at weekends and public holidays.
You are also entitled to free local bus travel in all other areas of England during these off-peak times.
Free travel throughout the week is available for blind and partially sighted people.
Companion pass holders can travel for free from 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and public holidays.
If your pass is lost or damaged and your circumstances have not changed, you can request a replacement pass online. It costs £10 for a new pass.
Once your request is complete you will be prompted to make an online payment.
Call us if you cannot use the online portal or there is a change in your circumstances.
If your pass has been stolen, we will send you a free replacement if you have reported the crime to the police. We will ask you for the crime reference number.
Once you have the crime reference number, call us to request a replacement.
The replacement pass will be sent to you within 10 working days.
By law, councils have to protect public money. We may share information you provide with those responsible for auditing or administering public money in order to prevent or detect fraud. The council must send data held on concessionary travel passes.
Dorset Council has contracted Euclid Ltd to manage the process of Concessionary Bus Pass applications and enquiries.
Contact us
Dorset bus pass information line
Email: dorsetenquiries@euclid.ltd.ukTel: 0300 330 1201
Full contact details