When applying for a Driving Licence photo card, it’s necessary to provide a valid photo following specific rules. The picture might need to be signed for certification, depending on the type of identity you use before applying for your licence.

If you already have a driving licence and want to check the driving records, penalty points and disqualifications, use the fleetspeak driving licence tool.

When Do I Need a Photo?

You ought to provide your latest colour passport-type photograph if you are applying for the following:

• Driving Licence (Provisional)
• Driving Licence (Renewal)
• Driving Licence (Optional Renewal)
• Driving Licence (Exchange from other countries)
• Proof of Residency

Find the UK’s various driving licence categories to understand further about your Driving Licence Photo rules.

You don’t need a photograph while applying for the reasons such as: changing your name or address on your licence & getting a copy of your existing licence.

What Type of Photograph Should I Send?

Some of the applications for a driving licence are done online and thus need a digital photograph. At the same time, others are given forms to fill in and post all together with a photo printed on them.

The table below consists of guidelines you need to follow if you use a digital/printed photo.

Driving Licence Photo Guidelines

If the following guidelines don’t comply with your driving licence photo, your application will be rejected. Please read carefully before applying. (You can also submit your existing photograph if it meets the rules below.)

• Get someone to take the digital photo.
• The service will deny to authenticate the request without uploading your digital photo or entering your photo code. (Your digital ID photo code (IDPC) service is used to upload a unique code to each person. Click here to get the service locations)

Rules for a Digital Driving Licence Photo:

• Your photo should look like it’s recent (a month at the maximum)
• A plain light background (Without patterns, textures or objects behind)
• Stand approximately 0.5 meters (1.5 feet) away from the background to avoid unnecessary shadows on your driving licence photo.
• You must stand 1.5 meters (5 feet) apart from the photographer while you stand straight to include your upper body, head, shoulders, and eyes facing the camera.
• Expressions should be: neutral (no smile or frown, mouth closed, face clearly visible & you can keep the transparent glasses if you want but avoid reflections)
• No sunglasses or other sorts of gimmicks are allowed.
• No other wearable accessories excluding for religious or medical purposes are allowed.
• No need to crop the photograph as it will do it for you.

Rules for a Printed Driving Licence Photo

• The photograph should be of high/studio quality. (photos taken at home are unlikely to be clear after printed)
• Expressions should be: neutral (no smile or frown, mouth closed, face clearly visible & you can keep the transparent glasses if you want but avoid reflections)
• It should be a month old at the max.
• It should be in colour.
• No sunglasses or other sorts of gimmicks are allowed.
• No other wearable accessories excluding for religious or medical purposes are allowed.
• A plain light background (Without patterns, textures or objects behind)
• Stand approximately 0.5 meters (1.5 feet) away from the background to avoid unnecessary shadows on your driving licence photo.
• It would be best if you stood 1.5 meters ‘5 feet’ apart from the photographer while you stood straight to include your upper body, head, shoulders, and eyes facing the camera.
• Should not include red eyes caused by reflection.
• Should not be creased, damaged, marked or torn.
• Photo dimensions must be 45mm high x 35mm wide (No need to force trim to meet the dimensions)

How to Get My Driving Licence Photo Certified?

You can certify a photo only if you apply by a printed image with a driving licence application form. (you do not need certification for a digital photograph)

If the following documents are included with the licence application form, you need an authorised person to sign/certify the photograph.

1. Up-to-date Identity Documents are other than the United Kingdom (UK).
2. European Economic Area (EEA) passport.
3. A Valid UK Biometric Residence Permit/travel document.

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