The BITE card is Essex County Council’s Proof of Age card for young people aged 11 and above. The card is only available by completing an application form.
If you have any unexpected
problems with your BITE Card, there are organisations that can help you.
Benefits of the BITE Card
- helps prove your age to the bus driver so you can have the reduced fare you are entitled to under the bus company’s terms and conditions;
- if you are older but look young, it will help prove your age when buying age-restricted goods;
- doubles as a library card.
Applying for a BITE Card
The application form is available from your school or
library and must be completed. However, applying through your school is easier.
You will need:
- a colour passport quality photograph;
- an authorised person at school to check and sign the completed form and then send it to the card producer.
You should receive your card in 2 - 4 weeks.
If you are not at a school in Essex, or your school does not take part in the scheme, you can complete an individual application form.
You will need:
- to provide a colour passport quality photograph;
- to ask an appropriate person to act as a verifier for your application. This person will need to check your original proof of age documentation. Full guidance is available with the form.
Individual forms are available from your local library or by calling 0845 743 0430.
More information on the BITE Card
If you go to school in Essex or live in Essex but attend school outside the county, you are entitled to one free card in each age band: 11-13, 14-15 and 16+.
BITE+ Card Colchester
The Bite+ scheme closed to new applicants on the 30th September 2010 and the bus concession ceased on 31st March 2011. You cannot obtain a new Bite+ card if you have lost your previous one and should apply for a standard Bite card instead. Please call 0845 743 0430 for an application form.
Lost or stolen
Stolen cards are replaced free of charge when a Police Incident Number is supplied. You do not have to supply new photographs. If your card recently lost or stolen card was also previously used as a library card, you must tell your local library immediately to prevent fraudulent use. Replacements for lost cards will incur a £5 charge.
Buses
If your bus driver refuses to accept your card, call the Passenger Transport team on 0845 743 0430 to report it.
Retailers
Cards should be accepted by major retailers but this cannot be guaranteed. Please call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 if you encounter a problem.
As your card has the PASS hologram it should be accepted by major retailers but this cannot be guaranteed. The retailers in these areas use different proof of age cards so may not recognise it.
Southend and Thurrock
Your BITE Card can be used as a library card in Southend and Thurrock.
If you are using your BITE card on a bus which travels across Essex into Southend and Thurrock they should recognise your card. However, bus services operating only in Southend and Thurrock may not.