Chinese Driving Licence Photo Requirements and Guidelines
Preparing a correct photo for your Chinese driving licence requires following specific official standards for size, background, and appearance. This guide breaks down every rule you need to know.
Official Size and Head Dimensions
Beijing guidance gives the photo size as 22 by 32 millimetres, or about 0.87 by 1.26 inches[1]. It also asks for five printed photos[1].
Beijing guidance also sets precise rules for the size of your head within the frame[1]. Specifically, the distance from the bottom of your chin to the top of the head must measure between 19 and 22 millimetres[1]. Meeting these exact proportions helps your application move forward without unnecessary delays caused by sizing errors.
Background and Lighting Standards
Beijing asks for printed photos with a white background[1]. For the electronic photo format described in its separate guidance, Beijing specifies a transparent-background PNG, 520 by 756 pixels and no more than 300 KB[2].
For printed photos, use a white background[1]. Beijing's electronic-photo guidance calls for a transparent background[2].
Expression and Appearance Rules
Your facial expression and appearance are strictly regulated for driving licence applications. You must maintain a neutral expression while the camera captures your portrait[2]. This means you should avoid smiling, frowning, or raising your eyebrows, and keep your facial muscles completely relaxed.
Beijing's first-time application guidance asks for bareheaded printed photos[1]. The electronic-photo guidance does not specify headwear rules[2].
File Limits and Submission Options
For the electronic photo format described in Beijing's guidance, the PNG must be 520 by 756 pixels and no larger than 300 KB[2]. Beijing's separate first-time application guidance asks for five printed photos[1].
Beijing's first-time application guidance asks for five printed photos measuring 22 by 32 millimetres[1]. Check with your local office for the requirements that apply to your application.
Steps to Take Your Photo at Home
Taking your photo at home requires careful preparation to match official guidelines before you crop or print it. Start by standing about one to one and a half metres away from a plain white wall to allow enough space for framing.
Ask a friend or family member to take the picture instead of trying a selfie, and keep the camera lens positioned directly at your eye level. Face a large window or a soft light source to illuminate your face evenly. Check that your shoulders are level, your back is straight, and you are looking directly into the camera lens.
Preparing Your Photo for Print or Upload
After you capture a clear and well-lit photo, you can use the tool above to crop the image to the required 22 by 32 millimetre dimensions. The tool helps you check your framing against standard proportions while keeping your personal image data entirely on your device.
You can then arrange your cropped photos onto a standard 4 by 6 inch template sheet. Printing this sheet at any local photo kiosk gives you affordable physical copies that match the exact layout requested by local offices.
Common Reasons for Photo Rejection
Many driving licence photo rejections happen due to simple, easily preventable mistakes. Common issues include incorrect head dimensions, shadows on the face or background, and smiling instead of maintaining a neutral expression[2].
Wearing glasses with tinted lenses or thick frames that obscure your eyes can also cause your application to be rejected. Checking your file size to make sure it stays under 300 KB prevents upload failures in digital systems[1][2]. Reviewing every detail against the official guidelines before you finalise your prints saves you time and prevents frustrating delays.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official photo size for a Chinese driving licence?
Can I wear glasses in my driving licence photo?
Glasses rules are unspecified by the general standard, but you must make sure your eyes are clearly visible without glare or heavy frames[2].