head 58–67 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceGovernment of the Netherlands (RvIG photo matrix) and the RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority)
Verified
Quick answer: A Netherlands driver's license photo must be 35 × 45 mm. Even light background without patterns. Head occupies 58–67% of photo height (26–30 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, glasses only if no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 58–67% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Head height (mm) | 26–30 mm chin to crownICAO 9303: 32–36 mm |
| Background | Even light background without patterns. |
| Pose | Head fully in frame and strictly centred. |
| Expression | Natural neutral expression. |
| Glasses | Glasses permitted only without reflections and without obscuring eyes. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Photo must be sharp, with sufficient contrast, no shadows or digital alterations. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
The Dutch government says «photos for passports, identity cards and driving licences must meet certain requirements» — the RvIG photo matrix: 35 mm × 45 mm (width × height), the face 16–20 mm wide (ears excluded) and, from 11 years, 26–30 mm from the chin to the crown (19–30 mm under 11); in colour, a true likeness, not more than six months old at the date of application, sharp with enough contrast and detail, undamaged, not a copy, not altered by computer software, printed on high-quality smooth photo paper at at least 400 dpi; even light, not over- or underexposed, no shadow on the face or the background, no reflections; a plain background of one colour and shade — light grey, light blue or white — that contrasts with the head; the head uncovered, the face and eyes fully visible, glasses fully transparent without reflection or shadow; a neutral expression, looking straight at the camera, the mouth closed; a religious head covering is allowed if it is plain, of one colour and contrasts with the background; children under 6 are exempt from the position and expression rules. For the driving licence there is a second route: the RDW lets you renew online — after «a digital passport photo» is taken «at an RDW photographer or an approved photo booth», which sends the photo and signature securely to the RDW and gives you an application code by e-mail or SMS, valid for 6 months — because ordinary passport photos cannot be used for the online application.
The photographer's file is 901 × 1158 pixels, JPEG, 24-bit, at most 170 KB, in 35 × 45 mm proportions. Online renewal needs a Dutch licence issued after 1 October 2006 (expired is fine), an address registered in the Netherlands and the DigiD app; otherwise you go to the municipality where you are registered with a printed photo.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Netherlands driver's license photos get rejected.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Government of the Netherlands (RvIG photo matrix) and the RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| A face outside 16–20 mm wide or 26–30 mm from chin to crown, a head not centred or not shown in full | Print 35 × 45 mm with the face 16–20 mm wide and 26–30 mm high, centred and shown in full. |
| A photo that is not in colour, is older than six months, is a copy, is altered by software, or is printed below 400 dpi | A colour photo taken in the last six months, unaltered, printed on smooth photo paper at 400 dpi or more. |
| A background that is not plain light grey, light blue or white, or has a shadow; shadows or reflections on the face | A plain one-colour background (light grey, light blue or white) and even light. |
| An ordinary printed photo used for the online renewal, or a digital file that is not 901 × 1158 pixels, JPEG, at most 170 KB | For the online renewal have a digital photo taken by an RDW photographer or an approved booth and use the application code. |
How to take it
Background: plain light
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 58–67 % of the photo height (26–30 mm)
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Glasses only if no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Natural neutral expression
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
A Dutch driving licence is renewed online at the RDW with a digital photo from an RDW photographer or an approved booth (application code valid six months), or applied for at the municipality where you are registered with a printed photo.
rdw.nl — apply for or renew a driving licence; your municipality's counter
Printed 35 × 45 mm at the municipality; digital 901 × 1158 px JPEG ≤170 KB online.
Authority page| Authority | Government of the Netherlands (RvIG photo matrix) and the RDW (Netherlands Vehicle Authority) |
|---|---|
| Source | Dutch photo requirements for passports, ID cards and driving licences |
| Verified |
Questions
35 mm × 45 mm in colour, not older than six months, the face 16–20 mm wide and 26–30 mm from chin to crown, a plain light grey, light blue or white background, even light, a neutral expression with the mouth closed, the head uncovered, printed on smooth photo paper at 400 dpi or more.
No: the RDW says ordinary passport photos cannot be used for the online application — have a digital photo taken by an RDW photographer or an approved photo booth.
901 × 1158 pixels, JPEG, 24-bit, at most 170 KB, in 35 × 45 mm proportions; the application code is valid for 6 months.
Yes if the eyes are fully visible and the glasses are fully transparent, without reflection or shadow.
The Netherlands driver's license photo must be 35 × 45 mm. The head must occupy 58–67% of the photo height. The photo is printed on the card and stays there for years, so use one that looks like you every day.
Even light background without patterns. Light should fall evenly on your face from the front, without shadows: face a window and turn off the flash.
Most offices ask for a photo taken within the last six months. Use an everyday photo rather than a styled portrait — the licence stays valid for years.
No. The rules are the same as for a passport: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight into the camera.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the Netherlands licensing office.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: ID card, passport, visa.