Driving licence photo in different countries: where you submit your own and where it's taken on site (2026)
In short. In most EU countries (the Netherlands, Austria, France) you prepare the licence photo yourself — the standard is 35×45 mm; in France an e-Photo with an ANTS code is also required. But in Ukraine, Thailand and for an ordinary Russian licence the photo is taken on site.
- Netherlands: pasfoto 35×45 mm, face 26-30 mm (from age 11), face width 16-20 mm, background light grey, light blue or white (even and plain), no older than 6 months, min. 400 dpi — the same requirements for licence, passport and ID.
- France: photo 35×45 mm, face 70-80% (32-36 mm), light background, white prohibited. For an online application on ANTS, a digital e-Photo with a 22-digit code from an accredited operator is required, valid for 6 months and single-use.
- Austria: biometric photo 35×45 mm, neutral light background (under WKO criteria 30-50% grey is recommended), no older than 6 months — you submit it yourself.
- Thailand: in Bangkok, DLT offices take the photo on site digitally; in some provinces they may still ask for printed photos on a white background (usually 1×1 inch), up to 6 months.
- Ukraine and ordinary Russian licences: the photo is taken on site; in Ukraine your own photos are not accepted. The international permit (IDP) of Ukraine and Russia — 35×45 mm, you submit your own photo.
The main rule: two different scenarios
All countries fall into two groups. "You submit your own photo" — you bring a ready-made image (printed or digital), and it is the one that goes onto the licence. "It's taken on site" — the administrator photographs you right during processing, so there is nothing to prepare, just look tidy.
Confusion is costly: turning up with a stack of photos where they take the photo on site is just a waste of money, while turning up without a photo where it is required is a wasted visit.
Countries where you submit your own photo
| Country | Size | Background | Particularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 35×45 mm | light grey / light blue / white | face 26-30 mm, min. 400 dpi, up to 6 months |
| France | 35×45 mm | light (white prohibited) | an e-Photo with an ANTS code is required |
| Austria | 35×45 mm | neutral light | biometric to the EU standard, up to 6 months |
| Kazakhstan | 35×45 mm | light, grey recommended | face 70-80% (32-36 mm), ICAO, min. 300 dpi |
| IDP (Ukraine, Russia — international) | 35×45 mm | light | face ~70-80% |
Netherlands. The pasfoto for a licence (rijbewijs), passport and ID card has the same requirements: 35×45 mm, face width 16-20 mm, height from chin to crown 26-30 mm (from age 11), an even plain background (light grey, light blue or white), an image no older than 6 months, resolution from 400 dpi.
France. Besides the 35×45 mm format and the face filling 70-80% of the frame (32-36 mm), a white background is prohibited — a light one is required (light grey or blue). For an online application on the ANTS portal, an e-Photo is used: a signed digital photo that an accredited operator (a photo booth or photographer) converts into a 22-digit code. The code is valid for 6 months and is used only once.
Countries where the photo is taken on site
Ukraine. The administrator at the MVS service centre photographs you directly during the service — your own photos are not accepted. If the shot is poor, you can reapply and redo it. The exception is the international permit (IDP): for it a 3.5×4.5 cm photo on matte paper is required.
Thailand. DLT offices in Bangkok take a digital photo on site during processing. In some provinces they may still ask for printed photos on a white background (usually 1×1 inch) — it is worth bringing 2-3 spare copies.
Russia (ordinary licences). A biometric photo is taken on site at the GIBDD/MFC free of charge. If a printed photo is required somewhere, its standard size is 21×30 mm on a white background. Only for the international permit (IDP) do you submit your own photo of 35×45 mm.
Will a passport photo work?
Often — yes, because many countries use the same biometric 35×45 mm format for passport, ID and licence. But there are two traps: the image must be no older than 6 months, and background requirements may differ (for example, in France a white background is prohibited, while in the Netherlands it is allowed). So before reusing it, always check the format specifically for a licence.
Related guides
Official sources
Questions
- Can I use a passport photo for a driving licence?
- Often yes, because many countries apply the same biometric 35×45 mm format. But the image must be no older than 6 months, and background rules may differ — for example, in France a white background is prohibited, whereas in the Netherlands it is allowed.
- What are the e-Photo and the ANTS code in France?
- It is a signed digital photo that an accredited operator (a photo booth or photographer) converts into a 22-digit code for an online application on the ANTS portal. The code is valid for 6 months and is used only once.
- Do I need to bring a photo to a Ukrainian MVS service centre?
- No. In Ukraine the administrator photographs you on site during the processing of the national permit — your own photos are not accepted. If the result is poor, you can reapply and redo the shot. A separate 3.5×4.5 cm photo is required only for the international permit (IDP).
- What is the licence photo size in the Netherlands?
- 35×45 mm. The face height from chin to crown is 26-30 mm (for those aged 11 and over), face width 16-20 mm, background light grey, light blue or white, the image no older than 6 months, resolution from 400 dpi.