Preparing Your Mexican Driving Licence Photo
Getting a Mexican driving licence requires a clear photo that fits your application. You can use the tool above to prepare your image before you submit it.
Official Size and Dimensions
Mexico has no single national photo-size rule for driving licences. The 25 by 30 millimeter size (about 0.98 by 1.18 inches) is a practical crop estimate, not an official or verified most-common size.
Check with your local issuing office before preparing a photo. No national head-height requirement was found, but local requirements may vary.
When you look at your photo file on a computer screen, a small 25 by 30 millimeter photo takes up very little space. Double-check that your face sits right in the middle of the frame with some space above your head and around your shoulders. Avoid cropping too tightly so your chin or hair does not get cut off when you print or upload the file.
Who Takes the Photo and Where to Apply
Mexican driving licences are generally issued by state authorities across the country. Meanwhile, the federal licence is issued separately by the Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes, also known as SICT[1].
In some local offices, such as in León, the authority takes the applicant's photo during the process[2]. If your local office takes the picture for you, personal photos may not be required. You can still use the tool above to rehearse, check a photo, or prepare a copy for other uses, without claiming it will be accepted.
Check the rules with the office handling your application before you go. Requirements and photo capture vary by state and licence type; the cited sources do not establish a national upload requirement.
Background Requirements and Lighting
No nationally uniform photo-background specification was found. Requirements and photo capture vary by state and licence type.
If your local authority asks you to provide a photo, check its background and lighting instructions before taking one.
Turn off the flash on your phone or camera to stop harsh shadows from appearing behind your head. Stand about one arm length away from the wall to push shadows down and away from your body. Natural light from a large window facing you gives the most even lighting without adding weird colour casts to your skin.
Glasses, Headwear, and Facial Expression
No national rules for glasses or headwear were found. Check with your local licensing authority for its requirements.
It is always a smart idea to keep your face neutral and look straight into the camera lens. Try to keep your mouth closed and avoid exaggerated facial expressions so your appearance looks natural and matches your identity documents.
If you usually wear eyeglasses, ask your local office if you need to take them off for the picture. Glare on the glass lenses or thick frames can hide your eyes, so taking them off is often the safest choice. Keep your hair brushed away from your eyes and forehead so your entire face is clearly visible to the person checking your paperwork.
How to Take Your Photo at Home
If you need to prepare a digital image for an application, you can take the picture at home with a digital camera or smartphone. Ask a friend or family member to take the picture for you instead of holding the camera yourself.
Keep the camera at your exact eye level about one to one and a half metres away from your face. Facing a bright window gives you soft, natural light without needing extra studio equipment.
If your authority asks you to provide a photo, follow its instructions for framing and camera setup.
Preparing and Submitting Your Digital File
Photo submission requirements vary by state and licence type. Check with the authority handling your application to find out whether you need to provide a photo.
No national file-size limits were found. Check any file requirements with your local authority before preparing an image.
The 25 by 30 mm size is a practical crop estimate, not a national requirement. Check with your local authority before printing a photo.
Before You Go
Check with your local authority which documents you need before you go.
Double-check whether your specific state or the SICT federal office requires you to bring printed photos or if they capture your image digitally on site[1, 2]. If you printed your own copies, place them in a small plastic sleeve to keep them clean and free from bends or fingerprints.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official size of a Mexican driving licence photo?
No single national official size was found. A 25 by 30 millimeter crop (0.98 by 1.18 inches) is a practical estimate, not a confirmed most-common size.
Do I need to take my own photo?
Can I use the tool on this page for my official application?
You can use the tool above to rehearse, check a photo, or prepare a copy for other uses, but the issuing office or organisation always decides whether to accept it.
What are the background colour rules?
No nationally uniform photo-background specification was found. Requirements and photo capture vary by state and licence type.
Are glasses allowed in the photo?
Glasses are unspecified in the official rules, but it is best to check with your local state office to see if they require you to remove them.
How should I crop my photo if I print it at home?
Set your crop to 25 by 30 millimeters. Print the image on standard photo paper and use a sharp paper cutter to keep the borders straight.