Free bus passes – Herefordshire Council

Supporting documents and photo guidance

If you cannot apply online, you can visit Blueschool House, Hereford where we will take a photo of you for your application and complete the form on your behalf.

We provide an appointment only bus pass assistance service at Blueschool House:

Every Wednesday: 10am to 12 noon

Appointments can be booked by calling 01432 260005. During the call you will be asked for the personal details we will require to complete your application. This will help us to check your evidence more quickly when you visit Blueschool House for your appointment.

Documents you will need to have with you if you apply in person

You will need to provide the following documents if you apply in person:

Proof of identity and proof of age

One of the following documents is acceptable as proof of identity and proof of age:

Birth certificate (plus marriage certificate if the applicant's name has changed)
Current driving licence
Current passport - the identification page. If your passport is not an EU passport, a copy of the visa page is also required
NHS medical card
Statement of entitlement to a pension

Proof of residency

One of the following documents is acceptable as evidence of residency:

Bank statement*
Council Tax bill or statement
Driving licence
Pension letter
Recent utilities bill* (not credit card or mobile phone)

*No more than three months old

Proof of disability (for disabled person's pass)

To get a disabled person's bus pass you will need to provide evidence that you qualify for any one of the eligibility categories of disability issued by the Department for Transport.

Eligibility for a companion pass (to accompany a disabled person's pass)

To get a companion pass you will need to provide evidence of eligibility for a companion pass.

Photo guidance for bus passes

Image of a sample bus pass When you apply for a bus pass you will need a suitable passport-style photograph which will appear on your pass. We cannot accept applications without a suitable photograph.

If the photograph is not suitable, we will contact you to request another photograph. We will not refund the cost of obtaining a suitable photograph.

Guidance

Official guidelines state a passport-style photo is acceptable: this refers to the size (45 x 35mm) and look of the photo.

Photographs which would not be acceptable for the strict passport rules are likely to be acceptable for your pass, for example, a photograph of you smiling is fine for your pass. A doctored holiday snap, however, would not be acceptable.

The photograph should be less than six months old, and should be in colour. Black and white photos will not be accepted and will result in your application being put on hold.

Size and position of image

Look directly ahead, straight at the camera.

image of bus pass photo correct size image of bus pass image taken too close Image of bus pass with person not looking at camera

Image background

Avoid patterns and other images encroaching into the background. A plain, pale background is more successful.

image of correct size bus pass photo Image of bus pass photo with dark background image of bus pass photo with patterned background Image of bus pass photo with other images in background

Photograph quality

Avoid over and under exposed photos. Watch out for shadows created behind the subject.

image of correct size bus pass photo Image of bus pass photo too light Image of bus pass photo too dark Image of bus pass photo with shadow

Applying online

If you apply for a bus pass through the online form you can use your webcam or upload a suitable photograph. You will have the opportunity to edit the photograph using the online system.