Gibraltar Driving Licence Photo Requirements and Guidelines
Get your Gibraltar driving licence application right with the correct photo size, background, and print rules.
Official Size for Your Licence
The official photo size is 45 mm high by 35 mm wide (about 1.77 by 1.38 inches)[1]. The guidance recommends that your face cover 70 to 80 percent of the photo; it does not specify a head-height measurement[1].
You can use the tool above to crop your image to the required size and check that your face fills the recommended part of the photo.
Background and Lighting Requirements
Your photo must feature a white background; face must be clearly distinguishable from it[1]. Do not use patterned walls, textured surfaces, or dark colours behind you. To achieve this, stand directly in front of a clean white wall in a room with bright, even illumination.
Natural light from a window facing you works best to eliminate dark shadows under your chin or along the sides of your face. Make sure there are no shadows cast on the white background behind you either. Check the lighting from multiple angles before you snap the picture, and turn off overhead yellow bulbs if they create strange colour casts. Take your time to adjust the lamps or move closer to the window until the lighting is bright and balanced.
Facial Expression, Glasses, and Headwear
When posing for your driver licence picture, you must maintain a neutral expression with your mouth completely closed[1]. Avoid smiling, smirking, open mouths, or exaggerated facial movements. Your eyes must look directly into the camera lens.
Glasses are permitted only under conditional rules, meaning your frames must not obscure your eyes, and there must be zero glare or flash reflection on the lenses[1]. Hats, caps, and headwear are strictly forbidden unless worn for proven religious or medical reasons[1]. Even with religious or medical headwear, your entire face from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead must remain completely uncovered and visible.
Print Quality and Submission Rules
You must submit two identical, recent ID-card-size photos that have been printed on proper photographic paper[1]. The HM Government of Gibraltar specifies that these photographs must be no more than six months old[1].
If your photo is digital or scanned, it must be printed at 1200 dpi or better[1]. The guidance says the photo must be clear and in sharp focus[1].
Step-by-Step Guide to Taking Your Photo
Taking the picture yourself at home is simple if you follow a few basic setup tips. Position your camera or smartphone about one to one and a half metres away from your face to prevent facial distortion. Keep the camera lens at exact eye level rather than tilting it up or down.
Ask another person to snap the photo for you instead of taking a selfie, because arm reach alters camera angles and posture. Stand up straight, relax your shoulders, and face the camera squarely with your head straight. Make sure your full head, hair, and upper shoulders are visible in the viewfinder. Leave a small amount of space around your head so you can crop the photo accurately later without cutting off important parts of your hair or shoulders.
Formatting and Printing at Home
Preparing your image for printing is straightforward when you use the tool above to arrange your cropped 35 by 45 mm picture onto a standard 4 by 6 inch template. This layout lets you print multiple copies cheaply at any retail photo kiosk or using a standard home printer loaded with glossy or matte photographic paper.
Once printed, use a sharp pair of scissors or a paper trimmer to cut the pictures along the exact borders. Double-check that you have two identical copies ready to submit along with your completed driving licence application forms to the Gibraltar department[1][2].
Frequently asked questions
What is the official size for a Gibraltar driving licence photo?
Can I wear glasses in my driving licence photo?
Glasses are allowed only under conditional rules where your eyes are fully visible and there is no glare on the lenses[1].
How recent do the printed photos need to be?
The photos must be recent and taken within the last six months[1].
What background colour is required?
You need a white background where your face is clearly distinguishable from it[1].
How many photos must I submit with my application?
You must supply two identical ID-card-size photos printed on photographic paper[1].