Hello everyone
I had an accident in March of this year.
I've been told I cannot drive for 12 months after sustaining a head injury.
My accident has also left me partially sighted which is also a problem when driving... ...Supposedly.
I was wondering if anyone knows if I would be entitled to any sort of travel discounts or bus pass, etc?
Thank you
possibly, The definition of “disability” under the Transport Act 2000 is as follows. i.e. freedom pass.
People who are blind or partially sighted
People who are profoundly or severely deaf
People without speech
People who have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has left them with a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk
People who do not have arms or have a long-term loss of the use of both arms
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’
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.
Contact your local authority as previously mentioned you may qualify for a pass
Yes you will be able to get a bus pass I am sure. I have one following my head injury. I couldn't get one for the trains, but you may be able to. Worth looking into. Good luck.
I have the exact same problem, partial sight, etc. I found that it very much depends on who you speak to at your local bus pass department. Epilepsy opens the door to a free bus pass and disability rail card, however without epilepsy it really did depend on each individuals take on the word, 'disability' and how near to it they assume you are. In short, get your doctor to writ a letter of support and then go and talk to the department in charge of passes...
Hi
As others have already mentioned - contact your local authority - they should know their rules and regs re bus passes. I was automatically eligible for one to use whilst I was not allowed to drive and which I used sometimes - once I was well enough to go out alone.
I was also entitled to taxis to and from work - as where I live there were no sensible bus times/ routes to coincide with my need for a phased return to work - about 4 buses a day on that route.
I gave my pass back as soon as I was able to drive again.
Don't think there was anything available for trains - but then I didn't ask.
good luck
K
Would echo the above. i got a bus pass for 2 years, filled in a form form local authority and added a letter from G.P. My pass could be used anywhere in England and Wales
Hi Pete. It's pretty disheartening being off the road isn't it. I too was told it would be 12 months minimum before I'd be back behind the wheel but I was lucky enough to be cleared for driving by my surgeon, 3 months after leaving hospital.
My sight was affected by a bleed on the brain but my peripheral vision corrected itself really quickly and with the help of new lenses in my specs I was cleared to drive again at my first recall appointment.
But whilst you're still on foot you might like to look at the RNIB website for advice on travel concessions for partially sighted people.
Best wishes on the road of progress ; I see you're over halfway back already to taking the tarmac road again ! Cat x
Hi,
I used liftproject.co.uk (headway put them in touch with me)
Another name for them is national star. Its a charity for people with all kinds of disability who want to learn how to use buses and trains to try to live anormalish life.
They also got me a bus pass, they know how to do the forms.
They are very good. I can now use bus toget to headway on my own.
Yes, if you have surrendered your licence and have a letter from DVLA to say you have then you can apply for a concessionary bus pass. You can then travel by bus for free after 9.30 in the morning and a discounted price before then. This is because you are classed as medically unfit to drive. I had one issued for 5 years which will probably be renewed now I have epilepsy.
Ifor I remember correctly you can purchase a disabled errors rail card if you are in receipt of DLP or PIP, don't quote me on that one. I receive PIP and am able to have a disabled person rail card 😊
Hope that helps somewhat
If you see about a blue badge through the council and then you can get in contact with your business company they will send you application form to you. if you do this headway will help put your problems down were you may think you can do this but they no more about qualifying or a pass.
Thank you everyone.
I got the forms from the council office. I have emailed the DVLA asking for the forms to fill in.
1 last question - do I have to resist my test at a later date?
Not your test no, but you will need to go for a medical assessment with your GP and probably DVLA which is a bit like a driving test in that they take you out on the road and check that you can drive but not asking you lots of questions all the time - and no theory exam!
This is an aspect of head injury that really concerns me. Before my deterioration I drove 15k miles per year and passed my Institute of Advanced Motorists Test in 2005. But I decided to stop driving four years ago because I knew that I was not safe to drive! Medical staff are simply not qualified to assess whether someone is safe to drive - a potentially lethal activity. Full re-testing is the only justifiable course of action here because lives are at stake. I live in a rural area where there is no public transport but get hospital transport to my various appointments. If public transport is available it is much cheaper than running and insuring a car these days and free passes ought to be means tested surely as it is taxpayers' money?
Omg getting home due to the amount of train/bus cancellations has been a nighmare
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