suspended from driving for medical reasons - fre bus pass?

noelphobic

My son had a seizure recently and has been told he will not legally be allowed to drive again until he has been seizure free for 6 months. He was told by a friend that a friend of theirs got a free bus pass under these circumstances. Does anyone know if this is true, and if so how does he go about obtaining one?

bestpud

noelphobic wrote: »

My son had a seizure recently and has been told he will not legally be allowed to drive again until he has been seizure free for 6 months. He was told by a friend that a friend of theirs got a free bus pass under these circumstances. Does anyone know if this is true, and if so how does he go about obtaining one?

I don't know if it depends on his diagnosis, but this link suggests he may get one:

http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info

noelphobic

bestpud wrote: »

I don't know if it depends on his diagnosis, but this link suggests he may get one:

http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info

he does not have a diagnosis of epilepsy. although his neurologist has put him on anti-seizure medication. His seizures (he had another one on the hospital) are believed to have been caused by hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) as he has type one diabetes.

Thanks for the link. I've had a quick look and it seems to mention epilepsy specifically, although it is on an epilepsy website so that doesn't necessarily mean that you won't get the pass if your seizures were not epilepsy related. Definitely worth investigating at least.

Pinkdebster

I am unable to drive anymore due to frequent blackouts...............I applied to my Council for a free bus pass............they sent out the form and I just had to get my GP to confirm (on the form) that I was unable to drive due to a medical condition.............bus pass was with me in a week. HTH

Norman_Castle

I am confused as to why no longer being able to drive would entitle somone to a free bus pass?.

jetta_wales

Norman_Castle wrote: »

I am confused as to why no longer being able to drive would entitle somone to a free bus pass?.

Because other countries have free public transport for all but we can not afford this here, we can however afford to give it at least to those who will have no choice but to depend on it despite the fact that it's crappy and over priced.

beabea81

Norman_Castle wrote: »

I am confused as to why no longer being able to drive would entitle somone to a free bus pass?.

Possibly it has to do with choice?

I choose not to drive so am not eligible for a free bus pass. My son has the choice to attend a more closely located school so he is not eligible for a free school bus pass.

Those that choose to drive and have that choice taken away for medical reasons are then offered a pass?

I suppose the eligiblity of, and right to apply for, such things could be a contentious issue but then so can all benefits. I could ask why the girl accross the road is entitled to free money just because she cannot be bothered to work and instead chooses to pop a baby out every couple of years.

Norman_Castle

From Direct gov site
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.

LittleVoice

jetta_wales wrote: »

Because other countries have free public transport for all but we can not afford this here, we can however afford to give it at least to those who will have no choice but to depend on it despite the fact that it's crappy and over priced.

Because, from my experience, I'm sure it isn't all of them, please could you tell me which "other countries have free public transport for all"?

jetta_wales

LittleVoice wrote: »

Because, from my experience, I'm sure it isn't all of them, please could you tell me which "other countries have free public transport for all"?

I missed the word 'some' which would have made the post clearer.

Germany does but I'm not that well traveled so don't know what the public transport is like in countries I haven't been to.

Prinzessilein

I have a bus pass.

I completed a very simple form from my local council, included a note from my GP to confirm that I have a medical condition which means I would not be given a driving licence (and that the condition is not the result of drug/alcohol abuse). My bus pass took about 2 weeks to arrive.

Oh, and I am 10 years short of being 60....and for what is worth I am British (but born abroad)