UK driving licence photo size and rules
For a UK driving licence renewal, DVLA lets you use your passport photo or upload a new photo when you apply online. If you apply by post, you must include a recent printed passport type photo.[1]
Photo size and face position
The printed photo must measure 45 mm high by 35 mm wide (about 1.77 × 1.38 inches). The face, from the bottom of the chin to the crown (the top of the head, not the top of the hair), must measure 29–34 mm (about 1.14–1.34 inches).[2][3]
The DVLA page does not give an eye height, top margin, or pixel size for an upload. Passport photo guidance says the face should be as large as possible while leaving a suitable gap between the face and the photo edge.[1][2][3]
Background, light, and face
For a printed photo, use a plain cream or light grey background. For a digital photo, use a plain light coloured background. The guidance gives no exact colour code. Keep the background and your face free of shadows, and use even light so your face is clear against the background.[3][4]
Face forwards and look straight at the camera. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Your eyes must be open and visible, with no hair in front of them. The photo must show both edges of your face and must not have red eye.[2][3]
Glasses and head coverings
Remove your glasses unless you have to wear them. If you must wear them, do not use sunglasses or tinted glasses; make sure the frames, glare, reflection, or shadow do not cover your eyes.[3]
You may wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons. Your full face must remain visible, and nothing else should cover it.[3]
Taking the photo at home
Choose a plain cream or light grey wall for a printed photo, or a plain light coloured background for an online upload. Stand or sit facing it, with even light on your face. Avoid direct flash and strong light from one side.[2][3][4]
Ask someone to take the picture, or set your camera on a stable surface. Put the camera at eye level, face forward, and look at the lens. Move hair away from your eyes, remove glasses if you can, and keep your mouth closed with a neutral expression. These are practical tips to help you meet the stated photo rules.
Take several shots and inspect the clearest one at full size. Check for shadows, blur, red eye, reflections, other people or objects, and a tilted or turned head. Do not retouch your face or flip the image; passport photo guidance says photos must not be manipulated or mirrored.[2]
Online upload or printed photo
For an online renewal, DVLA says you can use your passport photo or upload a new one. The DVLA page does not specify an upload pixel size or file size limit. Follow the upload instructions shown in the renewal service.[1]
For a postal renewal, include a recent printed passport type photo with the forms.[1] The passport photo guidance says printed photos for passport applications must be 45 × 35 mm, printed to a professional standard, and not cut down from a larger picture.[3]
If your application accepts a printed photo, you can use the tool above to make a 4 × 6 inch print sheet. At a kiosk, choose a 4 × 6 inch print, leave scaling at actual size or 100%, and do not choose a fit or fill option that changes the photo size. Measure a finished copy to check it is 35 mm wide and 45 mm high.
Common reasons a photo may be refused
A photo may fail the stated rules if the printed size or face height is wrong, the background is not plain cream or light grey, or shadows fall on your face or behind you. Blur, red eye, glare on glasses, closed or covered eyes, hair across the eyes, a smile, or a covered face can also cause a problem.[2][3]
Printed photos must be clear, in focus, in colour, unaltered, and free from creases or tears. They must not have a border. The authority decides whether the photo meets its rules, so a photo that looks right to you is not a promise of acceptance.[3]
Frequently asked questions
What size is a UK driving licence photo?
The printed photo is 35 mm wide by 45 mm high (about 1.38 × 1.77 inches). Your face, from the bottom of the chin to the crown, must be 29–34 mm high.[2][3]
Can I smile in my driving licence photo?
Use a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Your eyes should be open and visible.[2][3]
Can I wear glasses in my DVLA photo?
Remove glasses unless you have to wear them for a medical reason. If you must wear them, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted, and your eyes must not be hidden by frames, glare, reflection, or shadow.[3]
Can I upload a digital photo for a driving licence renewal?
Yes. DVLA says you can use your passport photo or upload a new one when renewing online. It does not state an exact pixel size or file size limit on that page.[1]
Does a postal driving licence renewal need a printed photo?
Yes. Include a recent printed passport type photo with your postal renewal forms.[1]
Are there special photo rules for children applying for a driving licence?
A person must be at least 15 years and 9 months old to apply for a first provisional licence.[1]