FREE Bus pass??

Indie_Kid

Two4Tuesday wrote: »

No, the rules for getting a freedom pass/concessionary bus pass generally exclude driving impairment due to drugs/alcohol.

I think that's only illegal drugs?

Two4Tuesday

No, I think that prescription drugs count too.

Indie_Kid

Do you have a link to this, please? I've not heard anything about prescription drugs.

ETA: Norwich council only says that those who misuse alcohol or illegal drugs can't get a pass.

oldestrocker

sh1305 wrote: »

Do you have a link to this, please? I've not heard anything about prescription drugs.

ETA: Norwich council only says that those who misuse alcohol or illegal drugs can't get a pass.

Yes please, I would like confirmation of that.
If you can't drive due to prescription drugs correctly dispensed for a recognised condition by your GP - and he made a point of saying that you must not drive whilst taking these, then surely you should be entitled to a free bus pass.

Mind you I can see the problem, because what might be prescription drugs to one person can so easilly be illegal substances to another.
I am told that both Oramorph and MST are sought after and command a good price on the streets!

As regards Section 92 RTA, as quoted as being one of the conditions under which you would be granted a bus pass : see the relevant authority here:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/92

There is nothing in it that states what a disability is. It only deals with the fact that you would not get a licence.
So, given that Morphine and other similar drugs are controlled and that you take them, and that it would be illegal to drive with them in your system, I would submit that you should be entitled to a free bus pass on that alone.
The test is would you get a driving licence if the DVLA were aware that you were a long time user of a 'banned' drug. The answer is no because it is not controlled in the same way that diabetes is.
It's worth an argument

Buses

New single-decker and double-decker buses are designed to be accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users.
Local councils offer eligible disabled people in their area free off-peak travel on local bus services; there is no charge for the bus pass.
What is 'eligible disabled'?





You are eligible disabled if any of the following applies to you:

• you you would, if you applied for a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have your application refused under section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) on grounds other than persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol

There is no 'persistent misuse' - they are obtained legally through your GP - not off the street!

GlasweJen

The criteria in Scotland is if you would be denied a driving licence should you apply for one. If you already have a licence it should have been revoked or surrendered on advice of your doctor. You have to show the council (or SPT in my area) the letter from the DVLA informing you that you're not medically fit to drive.

The exception to this is if you've lost your licence as a result of alcohol or illegal drug abuse.

Two4Tuesday

I have a freedom pass issued by a London council on the grounds of mental illness (clinical depression and personality disorder leading to daily homicidal and suicidal ideation). The basic eligibility conditions they specified that apply to me are:

g) People who, if they applied for the grant for 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.

While the clause does not specify illegal or prescription drugs, being pragmatic - it would seem to me that councils would look to limit eligibility to those people who would be refused a license due to their disability (mental or physical) rather than those with a temporary condition based on misuse of any kind of drug be it prescription or not.

This is just my opinion, and I may be wrong.

Indie_Kid

GlasweJen wrote: »

The criteria in Scotland is if you would be denied a driving licence should you apply for one. If you already have a licence it should have been revoked or surrendered on advice of your doctor. You have to show the council (or SPT in my area) the letter from the DVLA informing you that you're not medically fit to drive.

The exception to this is if you've lost your licence as a result of alcohol or illegal drug abuse.

That's the criteria for Plymouth, plus those on HRM. Because I'm registered as partially sighted, I had to show them a piece of paper from my consultant and not one from the DVLA.

I used to know someone who was told to apply (he has epilepsy) for a driving licence before his council would give him a bus pass. Knowing he would be turned down, he sent no money. He was granted a licence and had to tell them that his medical condition prevents him from driving.

kingfisherblue

In Merseyside, you have to have a medical for a bus pass no matter what criteria you are applying under. My son has a learning disability (Down's syndrome) and a wide variety of medical problems. He has received HRC since he was 3 months old and HRM since he was three years old. He is now twelve. No matter, I still had to take him into Liverpool for a medical. The doctor asked a couple of questions, including what school he attends, but no medical questions. He then issued him with a lifelong bus pass, to be automatically renewed every three years.

Also, in Merseyside, there are no carer bus passes.

McKneff

sh1305 wrote: »

:huh: What good is a bus pass if you struggle on public transport?

That is exactly what I was thinking,
:rotfl:

Indie_Kid

McKneff wrote: »

That is exactly what I was thinking,
:rotfl:

I do struggle on public transport; but it's more knowing which bus to get (bus drivers are very helpful) and knowing where to get off.

There is no carer pass in Plymouth.