head 64–76 %no glasses
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceHM Passport Office
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended UK driver's license photo size is 35 × 45 mm. Plain light background in cream or grey tone without patterns. Head occupies 64–76% of photo height (29–34 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, better without glasses. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 64–76% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Head height (mm) | 29–34 mm chin to crownICAO 9303: 32–36 mm |
| Background | Plain light background in cream or grey tone without patterns. |
| Pose | Full face, filling as much of the frame as possible without cropping. |
| Expression | Neutral expression; the applicant must be recognisable. |
| Glasses | No reflections or tinting; remove glasses if there is a risk of reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | No digital enhancements, shadows, or print artefacts. |
| Head covering | Religious or medical 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 |
UK driving licence photos are reviewed at the licence-issuing office, then printed onto the licence card and (in modern licences) embedded as a biometric template in the card chip. The review checks dimensions, background, lighting and that the applicant's face is unobstructed. Most modern licence systems run an automated ICAO alignment check before printing.
Driving licence photos are typically valid for the full document lifetime — five to ten years depending on the region. Choose a photo that will continue to match your appearance over that period, not a one-off styled portrait.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for UK driver's license applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
How to take it
Background: cream or light grey
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: 64–76 % of the photo height (29–34 mm)
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Better without glasses
Take them off before the shot.
Neutral expression; the applicant must be recognisable
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 glassesTake your glasses off — this document's rules require it.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.
| Authority | HM Passport Office |
|---|---|
| Source | GOV.UK printed passport photo requirements |
| Verified |
Questions
The recommended size for the UK driver's license photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 64–76% of the photo height. The photo is printed on the licence card and must remain recognisable for the full validity period.
Plain light background in cream or grey tone without patterns. Even, frontal light without shadow gradients. Driving licence printers tend to compress contrast — starting with even lighting prevents underexposed areas from disappearing in the final print.
No reflections or tinting; remove glasses if there is a risk of reflections. Many authorities specifically allow eyewear when it is required for driving, but the eyes must remain fully visible and there must be no lens glare. Tinted lenses or transition lenses that have darkened are not accepted.
Most authorities require the photo to be taken within the last six months. The licence is typically valid for 5–10 years, so use a recent photo that reflects your everyday appearance — not a one-off styled portrait.
No. Driving licence photos use the same neutral expression standard as biometric passports — closed mouth, eyes open and looking directly at the camera, no raised eyebrows. Smiles distort facial geometry used in modern biometric checks.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the UK licence authority rejects the photo and you supply the rejection notice.
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 or medical 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: BN(O) passport, passport.