Home to school travel

Travel assistance for pre-16

We offer a range of help and support for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN):

a travel pass or season ticket which allows one free journey to and from school each day
Independent Travel Training - support for young people to be able to access public transport independently
fuel allowance – where pupils qualify for home to school travel assistance, parents can ask us consider reimbursing fuel costs
other types of travel assistance may be available such as a personal budget or a seat in a mini bus or taxi.

We can provide assistance with a child’s transport arrangements to school if they meet the following criteria:

are under eight years old and live more than two miles from school
are eight to 16 years old who live more than three miles from school
are at secondary school and from a family that gets the maximum level of working tax credit or free school meals and live two to six miles from school
cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school because of their mobility problems or their health and safety concerns related to their SEN, disability or mobility issues.

Travel assistance for post-16 students

Students over 16 can get travel assistance from home to their educational establishment, up to the end of the term they reach the age of 25, if they meet the following requirements:

students must have an Education Health and Care Plan and be unable to use existing public or college transport
the college must be named within their EHC plan, as the nearest appropriate school/college for their post-16 education
the student must be attending college on a full-time basis (at least 16 hours teaching per week).

For more information on the types of travel assistance, view the Post 16 transport policy statement 2022-23‌ or contact the Home to School Travel team:

Email: SchoolTravel@derby.gov.uk
Phone: 01332 642716
Text Relay UK: 18001 01332 642716

Where transport assistance is provided, it will only be provided from home to college and up to the end of the term in which the learner reaches the age of 25.

How to apply

If you live in Derby city and would like to request a free school bus pass, please complete the

Free school bus pass application form

If you live in Derby city and you would like to request home to school travel assistance, please complete the relevant application form:

All applications for travel support are considered on an individual basis.

If you have a query or require further information, contact the Home to School Travel team:

Email: schooltravel@derby.gov.uk
Phone: 01332 642716
Relay UK: 18001 01332 642716

Moving address or changing your child’s school

If you move address or your child changes school, you must re-apply for home to school travel assistance and your application will be assessed under the policy which is in place at that time.

Parents of post-16 students who receive home to school travel assistance must re-apply each academic year.

Statutory travel guidance

Further guidance on school transport can be found in the DFE Home-to-School travel and transport guidance.

More travel support

Bikeability - a scheme free to all schools offering adapted bikes and support.
Gold Card - a free off-peak bus pass for eligible Derby residents who have a disability and are under 60.
B-line - a card which provides discounted travel for young people aged 11 up to their 19th birthday who live in Derby and are in full-time education at school or college.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children - if your child has difficulty getting about you may be able to claim the mobility component of the DLA. The rate is dependent on the level of help they need.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - similar to the DLA for young people over 16 years and includes a mobility component to help with getting around.
The Motability Scheme - a scheme which can help you lease a car if your child is aged three or over and is gets either the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or enhanced mobility component of Personal Independence Payment. The car is to be used for the benefit of the child.
16-19 Bursary Fund - financial support available for students aged 16 to 19 years in further education. Students who are disabled may quality. Apply directly to your learning provider.
Blue Badge - the aim of the scheme is to help disabled people with severe mobility problems to access goods and services, by allowing them to park close to their destination. The scheme is open to eligible disabled people regardless of whether they are travelling as a driver or as a passenger.
Wheels 2 Work/Wheels to Learn - a low cost scooter and bicycle hire scheme providing access to work, education and training where public transport is not available.
Other financial bursaries - students aged 19 or over could still be eligible for a bursary depending on personal circumstances. Check with your learning provider if you qualify.