📋 Freedom Pass Guide: Applying, Documents and Common Mistakes

WealthHorge · Independent publisher
Updated 25 Oct 2026 · Source: London Councils (freedompass.org)

If you’ve read the first part, you already know the Freedom Pass gives free travel across London to many older and disabled residents.

Here’s how the application works, what to have ready and what happens after.

👀 Who can apply

For the older person’s pass, you need to have reached State Pension age, currently 66, and your main home must be in a London borough.

For the disabled person’s pass, you need to live in London and meet one of the set disability criteria.

These include being blind or partially sighted, profoundly or severely deaf, or getting Personal Independence Payment with at least 8 points for moving around.

⚠️ Carers don’t get their own pass just for being a carer — the pass is for the person who meets the rules.

📋 Important rules

The pass is only for people whose sole or main home is in London.

If you move to another London borough, you tell London Councils. If you move out of London, the pass stops being valid and you contact your new council about local bus travel.

Some time limits apply on weekday mornings for older person’s passes. It’s worth checking them before planning an early journey.

🧾 What to have ready

For the older person’s pass, you’ll need proof of your name, your age and your London address.

You’ll also need one recent colour photo of yourself, passport style.

Proof of address is usually a recent document, such as a council tax bill or a utility bill from the last few months.

Having everything ready before you start makes the process much quicker.

⚙️ How to apply

The older person’s pass is applied for through London Councils, online at freedompass.org.

If you’d rather not apply online, London Councils has a helpline that can help with paper applications.

The disabled person’s pass is different: you apply through your own local borough council, which checks that you meet the criteria.

Some councils may ask for a short assessment, for example if your walking is affected.

⏱️ How long it takes

Once your application is accepted, the pass is posted to your home address.

Some councils say this can take up to 10 working days, so it’s best not to leave it until the week you need it.

Passes have an expiry date printed on them. When renewal time comes, London Councils usually writes to you first.

📲 After you get it

Sign the card and keep it with you whenever you travel.

If it’s lost, stolen or damaged, you can ask for a replacement, which usually has a fee.

The pass is personal. Only the person named on it can use it.

⚠️ Common mistakes

Waiting for a pass to arrive on its own — for a first pass, you need to apply.

Using an address outside London, or one that isn’t your main home.

Paying a website or a “service” to apply for you. The application itself is free.

🧠 Good to know

If you’re over 60 but still below pension age, Transport for London has a 60+ London Oyster photocard, which has a fee and works in a similar way inside London.

And if you have a disability but don’t meet the main criteria, some councils offer their own discretionary passes, with rules set locally.

WealthHorge is an independent publisher, not affiliated with London Councils, Transport for London, your local council or the UK government. Official information is on freedompass.org.