Botswana driving licence photo (35×45 mm)

Official Size and Dimensions

When you apply for a driving licence in Botswana, you need to understand the dimensions required for your application documents. The authority publishes no single official size; the studio uses the size most often asked for^[1][2]. Because of this lack of a strict published rule, photographers and applicants typically rely on standard dimensions that fit official paperwork slots. A common practical size used for these applications is 35 by 45 millimetres, which translates to about 1.38 by 1.77 inches^[1][2].

The cited pages do not specify a head-height measurement. Check with the issuing office if you need photo dimensions beyond the requirement for passport-sized photos.

First-Issue Applications and Renewals

The rules for your photograph depend entirely on the type of transaction you are completing with the transport department. First-issue applications list two passport-sized photos that you must provide yourself^[1]. When you are applying for your very first licence card, gathering these printed pictures beforehand is a mandatory part of putting your packet together.

For licence card renewals, the rules change completely. Renewals require the applicant to have a photograph taken at the DRTS office^[2]. This means if you are renewing an existing card, you cannot bring your own printed photo from home or a studio^[2]. The staff at the office will capture your image on-site during your appointment.

Understanding this distinction saves you time and effort. If you are a first-time applicant, preparing physical copies is essential^[1]. If you are renewing, you must skip the photo booth and plan to have your picture taken directly by the department^[2].

Background and Photo Specifications

Official specifications regarding the visual details of your picture are very minimal in Botswana. No photo size or background requirement is published^[1][2]. Instead, the guidelines leave room for standard studio practices when physical copies are requested by officials.

Because no official background is mandated, 35 by 45 millimetres remains a common practical crop size for passport-style photos^[1][2]. Other common elements, such as whether you can wear glasses or specific headwear, are unspecified in the official documentation^[1][2].

When preparing a personal copy or rehearsing for an application, you should aim for clarity. Make sure your face is clearly visible, even though the government rules do not spell out every minor aesthetic requirement^[1][2]. Always consult the issuing office if you have unique questions about your appearance.

How to Take Your Photo at Home

Taking a practice photo at home can help you get ready if you need standard passport-sized pictures for a first-time submission^[1]. Start by finding a well-lit area inside your home, ideally facing a large window. Natural light from a window provides even illumination across your face and helps prevent harsh shadows under your nose or chin.

Always ask a friend or family member to take the picture for you rather than trying to take a selfie. Selfies distort facial features because the camera is held too close. Keep the camera at your eye level and stand about one to one and a half metres away from the lens.

Maintain a natural expression with your mouth closed and look straight ahead into the camera lens. Stand against a plain, light-coloured wall to keep the focus entirely on your face, even though the authority publishes no background requirement^[1][2]. Review the photo on your screen to check for blur or poor lighting before you move on to the next step.

Preparing Your Photo with the Tool Above

Once you have a clear digital image, you can prepare it using the tool above. The tool crops your passport, visa, and ID photos to official sizes right inside your browser window. Because the processing happens locally, your photo never leaves your device, keeping your personal data private.

The tool automatically arranges your correctly cropped photo onto a standard 4 by 6 inch sheet. This layout makes it easy to print your image at an ordinary photo kiosk. You can print the resulting sheet just like a normal holiday photo, saving money compared to traditional portrait studios.

Printing and Submitting Your Photos

Printing and submitting your photos requires attention to detail. Submission requires printed photos only for specific application types, such as first-issue documents^[1]. Take your 4 by 6 inch photo sheet to a local print kiosk to get physical copies.

Cut the individual photos carefully along the crop lines using sharp scissors or a paper cutter. Make sure the edges are straight and clean before you attach them to your application paperwork.

Keep in mind that renewals require the applicant to have a photograph taken at the DRTS office^[2]. Therefore, you should only rely on printed photos for applications that permit them, such as your initial licence request^[1].