Mobility Scooter Permit For Bus

Let’s talk about mobility scooter permits for buses.

Why are we tackling this topic?

Because it’s surprisingly difficult to get some clear advice about it. Really not the easiest subject to get clear information on.

But, actually, we’ve got some good news for you:

It’s not that difficult to resolve at all.

When you’ve got a website like Mobility Scooter Geek, that is there to cut through the nonsense and explain things clearly.

Mobility Scooter Permit For Bus

Bus Permits For Mobility Scooters

The long and the short of it is:

The vast majority of bus operators have a scheme offering a permit to mobility scooter users, allowing them to take their mobility scooter onto the bus.

This is because most bus operators are signed up to the CPT Code. The CPT is the regulations created jointly by these 2 bodies:

  • the governmental body, the Department for Transport; and
  • the Confederation of Passenger Transport, effectively the self-regulating authority of bus operators.

The code outlines what bus operator members should do for disabled users, including wheelchair and mobility scooter users. One of the regulations of the code is offering a permit for travel scheme.

This does NOT mean they have a legal requirement to accept you on board with your mobility scooter, if you just turn up with it.

But it does mean you can contact them to request a “permit for travel”.

They are obligated – by virtue of being signed up to this code – to offer such a scheme. (But we must repeat they are not obligated by law to do so).

As long as your mobility scooter meets the size and weight requirements, you should receive the permit. Then you can take your mobility scooter with you onto the bus.

By the way, we’ve gone into granular detail of this topic of whether mobility scooters are allowed on buses. And mobility scooters on trains, as well.

How To Get A Permit To Take Your Mobility Scooter On A Bus

Step 1: Find the operator of the bus you’re planning to get on

Step 2: Call them or email them (often this means using the contact form on their website).

Most bus operators will then send you a permit application form.

Step 3: Fill in the required form and send it back, or otherwise give them details of your mobility scooter.

Step 4: They’ll send you the permit.

Remember to take the permit with you and enjoy your bus journey!

Bus Operators Permit Schemes

Here’s how to get a permit from the main bus companies.

Stagecoach Mobility Scooter Permit

They don’t have a specific section or page on their website to apply for a permit.

They do confirm that they accept “approved mobility scooters”.

So, to get a permit, you just have to contact them and ask for a permit to take your mobility scooter on board.

Call them on: 0345 241 8000

Or use one of the contact forms on this page: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/help-and-contact/contact-us.

First Bus Permit

They confirm that mobility scooter users must “obtain a standard ‘permit for travel’ prior to their scooter being carried on any bus”.

And, they say: “mobility scooter users must be assessed and receive on-bus training from the operator before travelling on the bus for the first time”.

They’re one of the relatively few companies that do clearly say they offer a permit for travel scheme for mobility scooter users (many companies simply point to the CPT directives, rather than stating this directly!).

They say to apply for the permit and arrange training sessions, contact them here: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/help-support/help-and-support/#form-scrollto

Again, they don’t have a menu option to select mobility scooter permit for travel scheme, or suchlike. (And, indeed, a search for mobility scooters or this scheme on their Contact Us/FAQ Help and Support page doesn’t turn up anything).

So you’ll have to select something else and ask for a mobility scooter permit in your message.

Why Is It Difficult To Find The Permit For Travel Scheme?

Almost all bus operators do not have very clear information on their websites about applying for a permit to take mobility scooters on their buses.

Though it’s not legally binding, the CPT code carries some weight given that it’s backed by the main regulators in the bus industry, the CPT, and has governmental influence in its inception.

Despite this, very few have a clear indication of this scheme on their website.

Fewer still have a simple permit for travel application form on their site.

But we’re here to tell you, that you can contact the operator to request a permit and the vast majority do have this scheme in place, and will oblige your request.

What To Do If The Bus Operator Refuses To Issue A Permit?

Normally, the bus operator company will reply to your request with an application form. Or they will ask for the mobility scooter specifications and model.

If they reply that your mobility scooter does not meet their limits, then you can ask them to confirm what their limits are.

According to the CPT code, the limits for mobility scooters allowed onto the bus are recommended to be:

  • It must be a class 2 scooter (not a class 3 scooter, which is designed for road use)
  • No more than 600mm wide, and 1000mm long.
  • With a turning radius not greater than 1200mm
  • Having a combined weight, together with the user, not more than, normally, 300kg (approximately 47 stones)

If the bus operator does not offer such a scheme, or otherwise refuses to reply to your request to apply for the scheme, the best thing you can do is contact the CPT and let them know one of their members is breaching the CPT code.

It may be a good idea to prepare your evidence, for example the emails you’ve sent, date and time of calls, in advance.

Here’s how to contact the CPT:

  • Website: cpt-uk.org
  • Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7240 3131
  • Email: admin@cpt-uk.org

If these contact methods do not work, check out this page:

https://www.cpt-uk.org/contact-us/

The CPT have a, frankly, impressive openness, listing several directors and managers that you can contact.

Summing Up Mobility Scooter Permits For Buses

As you’ve read, most bus operators offer a scheme whereby you can apply for a permit to take mobility scooters on their buses.

It’s not legally binding, but still carries some weight, since it’s a joint CPT (Confederation of Passenger Transport) and Department of Transport (the governmental body) scheme.

Most operators do not advertise it very clearly on their site, and yet they are signed up to the CPT code.

So TLDR: contact the company by phone or email and request a permit. As long as your scooter is within the acceptable limits (it should be small and light), then you should be able to receive a permit without too much hassle.

Good luck and enjoy your bus journeys.