Get Compliant Photo for UK Driver's Licence

When Do You Need a New Driver's Licence Photo?

If any of the situations listed below apply to you, you need a new driver's licence photo:

• You have applied for a provisional driver's licence.
• You have applied for a driver's licence renewal.
• You have applied for an optional driver's licence renewal.
• You have applied to exchange your driver's licence from another country.
• Your appearance has changed significantly.

In some situations you do not need to prepare a photo, such as:

• You have changed the name or address on your driver's licence.
• You have applied for a duplicate of your existing driver's licence.

Should I Have My Driver's Licence Photo Printed?

No, you are not always required to print your UK driver's licence photo. Whether you need a digital or printed picture depends on the type of driver's licence for which you have applied. If you want to renew, or need an optional renewal, of your driver's licence, you can either renew the licence online or apply by post.

When applying for a driver's licence online, a digital version of your photo is enough. When applying by post, you need to prepare a printed photo. However, if you need to apply for a provisional driver's licence or exchange your licence from another country, you must apply by post and provide a printed photo.

Where Can I Get My Driver's Licence Photo Printed?

To get a printed driver's licence, you can place an order directly with our photo printing service and we will print the photo for you online and send the printout straight to your doorstep.

Notes for Taking Your Licence Photo

A standard licence photo has strict requirements. To meet these requirements, be sure to follow the following regulations: 

• Background: The background colour of your licence photo should be light grey or cream. Make sure there are no items in your photo background.
• Pose: You can sit upright or stand while taking your picture. Face directly toward the camera and do not tilt your head or body. Ensure that your entire head and your shoulders are included in the photo.
• Headgear: Avoid wearing hats, hair bands and ornaments in your driver's licence photos. 
• Clothes: Wear a decent, formal shirt for your driver's licence photo. Avoid wearing clothes of a similar colour to the photo's background colour.
• Glasses: You are permitted to wear your glasses for your driver's licence photo as long as they do not cover your eyes. Tinted glasses or sunglasses are not permitted.
• Hair: Make sure your hair does not cover your face, ears or eyes. Long hair can be tucked behind ear, with a hairpin used to clip back bangs if necessary.

Common Mistakes

Most people are not familiar with UK standards for taking a driver's licence photo, and therefore make the following common mistakes:

• Wrong Photo Size: The size of your UK driver's licence photo should be 35mm in width by 45mm in height.
• Bad Photo Quality: Your photo must be clear and sharply focused, regardless of whether it has been taken professionally or by yourself.
• Poor Lighting: Be careful to avoid uneven light or shadows in your photo, choosing a place with adequate light and without shadows behind your head or on your face.
• Heavy Makeup: Elaborate makeup can change your appearance significantly and is therefore inappropriate for a driver's licence photo. Casual, daily makeup is preferred.
• Wide Smile: There is no need to smile in your driver's licence photo since your mouth is supposed to be closed. Keep your facial expression as natural as possible.

Taking a UK Driver's Licence Photo on Your Own

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be inconvenient for people to go outside to take their driver's licence photos. Moreover, taking a driver's licence photo at a professional studio is often expensive and time consuming. Therefore, why not take your driver's licence photo at home? If you have thought about taking your driver's licence photo on your own, read the following guidelines we have prepared for you: 

1. Prepare: Find a photographic device, a plain colour background and someone to help you take the photo.

2. Take a self-portrait: Look directly at the camera lens and keep a neutral facial expression.

3. Examine: Check the photo to make sure you have met all of the driver's licence requirements.

After completing your photo, you must resize it to ensure it is up-to-standard. However, you do not need to process the photo on your own but are always welcome to use AiPassportPhotos to adjust the size of your head and crop the photo accordingly. AiPassportPhotos also adjusts your photo's background, ensuring that it meets official requirements. Just upload your photo and wait for a few seconds, then you can get your compliant driver's licence photo.