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Japan Driver License Photo: 3 x 2.4 cm for the Licence, 4.5 x 3.5 cm for the International Permit

Prefectural police: 3 cm high x 2.4 cm wide, bareheaded, frontal, no background, within six months. International permit: 4.5 x 3.5 cm.

Published 3 min read

Paper illustration of a licence centre with a photo booth, a blank card on the counter and a small car outside
In this article · 5 sections
  1. 01The standard in three prefectures
  2. 02Tokyo: who takes the picture
  3. 03Examples Tokyo marks as unsuitable
  4. 04Questions
  5. 05Official sources

Key points

5 points
  1. Tokyo, Osaka and Nara: 3 cm high x 2.4 cm wide, bareheaded, frontal, upper third of the body, no background, taken within six months.
  2. International driving permit: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm (Tokyo, Nara).
  3. Tokyo: the licence photo itself is taken by staff; brought photos only at Fuchu, Samezu and Koto, for renewal, reissue or adding a class.
  4. Osaka and Nara: write the date and name on the back; Tokyo does not need them for a brought photo.
  5. Leave 2–3 mm above the head (Osaka); about 4 mm for the international permit (Nara).

Japanese driver’s licences are issued by prefectural police, and each publishes its own photo page (in Japanese). They agree on the standard from the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Regulations.

The standard in three prefectures

PoliceLicence photoOther points
Tokyo Metropolitan Police (updated 17 Nov 2025)3 cm high x 2.4 cm wide; 4.5 x 3.5 cm for the international driving permitBareheaded (except religious or medical reasons), frontal, upper third of the body, no background, taken within six months
Osaka Prefectural Police3 cm high x 2.4 cm wide with 2–3 mm above the headTaken within six months; date and name on the back; the international permit has a different size
Nara Prefectural Police (updated 30 Jun 2026)3 cm high x 2.4 cm wide; international permit 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm with about 4 mm above the headName and date on the back; person sharp, within six months
The same formats at one scale

JapanDriver's License · requirements

Tokyo: who takes the picture

  • The photo for the licence itself is taken by staff under these conditions.
  • The application photo can be taken in the automatic photo machine at each test centre (Fuchu, Samezu, Koto).
  • Photos you bring can be used only at those three centres, only for renewal, reissue and adding a class, and the licence is made from your photo (which takes longer). A class addition needs an application photo as well.
  • Nothing printed on other than photo paper is accepted; date and name on the back are not needed for a brought photo.

Examples Tokyo marks as unsuitable

  • A hat; a wide headband, bandana or hachimaki covering the head.
  • Face or gaze not to the front; only the face (too close) or a small face (too far).
  • Outline of the face or clothes blending into the background; scenery, wallpaper, curtain or wood grain behind.
  • Part of the face cut off; too bright or too dark; squinting or closed eyes; eyes hidden by hair.
  • Glasses that shine so the eyes cannot be seen; frames over the eyes; dark sunglasses; a wide-open mouth; a mask.
  • Poor printing and no margin (about 3 mm) above the head.

For medical reasons, Osaka and Nara accept a wig, scarf or brimless medical cap that leaves the outline of the face visible. See our Japan driver license photo page.

04Questions

5 answers
01What size is the Japanese driver license photo?

3 cm high x 2.4 cm wide at the Tokyo, Osaka and Nara police; the international driving permit uses 4.5 x 3.5 cm.

02Does the background matter?

The standard says "no background" — nothing behind you; wallpaper, curtains or wood grain are unsuitable examples.

03How recent must the photo be?

Taken within six months before the application.

04Can I bring my own photo in Tokyo?

Only at Fuchu, Samezu or Koto, for renewal, reissue or adding a class; the licence then takes longer.

05Do I write anything on the back?

Osaka and Nara ask for name and date; Tokyo says they are not needed for a brought photo.

05Official sources

  1. Tokyo Metropolitan Police — application photos and brought photos (Japanese)
    keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp
  2. Osaka Prefectural Police — suitable photographs (Japanese)
    police.pref.osaka.lg.jp
  3. Nara Prefectural Police — driving licence application photograph
    police.pref.nara.jp

Author: Yevhen Kravchenko. Published . Checked against official sources on .

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