If you have one or more the disabilities listed which lasts for 12 months or more and you can provide the supporting evidence listed you will be entitled to a disabled person's NoWcard:

Blind or partially sighted

Evidence required:

  • certificate of visual impairment
  • registration card
  • a letter from an eye specialist confirming that you are severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted)
  • Blue Badge issued.

Severely or profoundly deaf

Evidence Required:

  • audiological report from an aural specialist indicating hearing loss has reached 70 dB HL or in both ears
  • registration card.

Without speech

This does not cover people whose speech may be slow or difficult to understand, for example because of a severe stammer.

Evidence Required:

  • Personal Independence Payment of 8 points or more for communicating verbally
  • evidence from a medical professional that you are unable to communicate orally in any language.

Have a walking disability

To qualify under this category you would have to have a long term and substantial disability which means you cannot walk or which makes walking very difficult.

Evidence Required:

  • Personal Independence Payment of 8 points or more for the moving around activity of the mobility component
  • higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
  • War Pensions Mobility Supplement
  • Blue Badge (valid for at least 12 months)

Without the use of both arms

Evidence Required:

  • Blue Badge (valid for at least 12 months)
  • medical evidence to support that you are unable to use both arms for day to day tasks.

Learning Disability

Defined as a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning.  To qualify under this category all three criteria below must be met:

  • the disability must have started before adulthood with a lasting effect on development
  • a significantly reduced ability to understand complex information and to learn new skills
  • a reduced ability to cope independently 

It does not include the following:

  • Dyslexia, Dyspraxia or ADHD
  • Autistic spectrum disorders unless accompanied by a significant impairment of intelligence
  • mental health problems
  • conditions which started after adulthood (eg brain injury)

Evidence Required:

  • letter from the manager of the residential home or supported living accommodation where you are a resident
  • letter from a medical professional or Social Services stating that you have a learning disability as defined (above)
  • statement of special education needs or education health and care plan (stating moderate/severe learning disability).

You would be refused a driving licence due to physical fitness

This covers disabilities which are likely to cause the driving of vehicles to be a source of danger to the public, e.g. some types of epilepsy, severe mental disorders and dementia.

If you hold a valid driving licence (full or provisional) or your condition is a direct result of the misuse of drugs or alcohol you will not be eligible under this category. 

Evidence required:

  • recent letter from the DLVA indicating refusal or withdrawal of your licence for a minimum of 12 months
  • letter from a medical professional or specialist confirming that you are unfit to drive, detailing the reason and length of time for which you will be unable to drive.
  • Apply in person (take proof of your ID):
    Carlisle (Monday to Friday only); Workington and Whitehaven libraries are now able to process applications (there may be busy periods at libraries so there may be a short wait)
  • Apply online (have proof of your ID and a recent passport style photograph, to hand)

 You will need to provide one item in list A and one item in list B and proof of disability.

A - Proof of age (one of)

  •     birth certificate
  •     proof of state pension
  •     passport
  •     driving licence

B - Proof of address (one of) 

  • Council Tax bill
  • utility bill dated within the last 3 months
  • rent book or statement
  • bank statement dated within the last 3 months

C - Proof of Disability

Qualifying disabilities and the proof required are  listed under the 'Can I apply?'

If you have a disabled Person's NoWcard and cannot travel without help, then a companion will be able to travel with you free of charge.

A companion application form can be requested at the same time as you apply for your NoWcard.

You cannot apply for a Companion NoWCard on the Online Portal

If you have a Disabled Person's NoWcard and need to travel before 9.30am or after 11pm to access work (including voluntary work), training or day care services, you will be eligible for an "AllDay NoWcard".

An All Day (24/7) application form can be requested at the same time as you apply for your NoWcard or you can download a copy All Day 24/7 NoWcard application form (PDF 209kb)

You cannot apply for an All Day (24/7) NoWCard on the Online Portal

You will be sent a renewal pack 6 to 10 weeks before your pass expires 


There is a £10 charge to replace your lost or damaged card. If your card has been stolen and you have got a police crime number, you won't be charged 

You can pay the replacement fee and order a new pass at:

If you have a credit or debit card and an email address you can order your replacement pass online. The replacement pass will be sent to the address held on our records for the pass holder. If this address has changed you should let us know.

(The online payment facility is only available to Cumberland residents.)

 If your card has been stolen and you have got a police crime number, you won't be charged


Telephone: 0333 2406 965 - option 3 (available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) - you will need a credit or debit card.

If your card has been stolen and you have got a police crime number, you won't be charged

You can apply in writing by sending your name, address and pass number along with a cheque for £10 (made payable to Cumberland Council) to:

NoWcard Applications
Cumberland County Council
PO Box 415
Carlisle
CA1 9G

If your card has been stolen and you have got a police crime number, you won't be charged

  • Call the helpline on 0333 2406 965 - option 3 (available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)

 

If you move outside of Cumberland please return your NoWcard with a letter explaining that you have moved by post to FREEPOST NOWCARD.

You will need to apply for a new pass from the area that you now live in. Different eligibility criteria may apply for Disabled and Discretionary passes

Please return their NowCard with a letter saying that they have passed away by post to FREEPOST NOWCARD

  • Call the helpline on 0333 2406 965 - option 3 (available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)

If your application has been refused, you can ask us to reconsider the decision in writing within 28 days. You can include any further information which may support a successful application. You may be requested to complete a further form for external assessment by an Independent Medical Assessor following which you may be requested to attend a face to face interview out of County (at your own expense).

If the decision remains not to issue a Disabled Person's NoWcard, we will write to you with a full explanation. Whether the review is successful or not, the decision is final.