Are there any requirements for the photo when renewing a driver's license?

[MirandaAnn]

Article 57 of the "Traffic Regulations and Penalty Rules": Motor vehicle drivers should apply for license renewal at the vehicle management office where the driver's license was originally issued or at any other vehicle management office within 90 days before the expiration of the driver's license. When applying, the applicant must fill out an application form and submit the following documents: the original and copy of the driver's license; the original and copy of the ID card; two or more one-inch color front-facing photos with a white background and no hat; and a medical certificate issued by a county-level or higher medical institution or a military medical institution at the regimental level or above. For those applying for a small automatic passenger vehicle for the disabled, a medical certificate issued by a specialized medical institution designated by the provincial health authority must be submitted. Matters related to renewing an expired driver's license: You can apply for a driver's license renewal within 90 days of its expiration. You can apply at the local vehicle management office or online. When renewing, you need to fill out the renewal application form and bring your ID card, driver's license, medical examination report, and other relevant materials. For renewing the driver's license, recent one-inch color photos with a white background and no hat must be used. If the photos are not qualified, you need to retake them. After the motor vehicle driver's license is renewed, the original license becomes invalid and cannot be used again. You must properly keep the driver's information on the license and not discard it casually to avoid information leakage, which could cause issues when using the driver's license. If your driver's license has expired, the traffic police may impose a fine but will not deduct points. There is also a latest deadline for renewal: if the license has been expired for less than one year, you can follow the normal renewal process; if it has been expired for one to three years, the license will be canceled, but you can retake the subject one exam to regain it; if it has been expired for more than three years, the license will be canceled. About renewal: Before renewal, all traffic violations related to the driver's license must be resolved; otherwise, the application will not be accepted. Processing location: Driver's license renewal can be processed at the vehicle management office where the license was originally issued or at any other vehicle management office. Renewal of a motor vehicle driver's license can also be done through mobile apps: for iOS 15 and above, use the Traffic Management 12123 app (V2.8.1B437); for Android 12 and above, use the Traffic Management 12123 app (V2.8.1B274). On the main page, select "Driver's License Replacement and Renewal" to effectively renew the motor vehicle driver's license. Photos and medical certificates required for renewal can be prepared by yourself. If you are worried about their qualification, you can process them directly at the traffic police office to avoid delays.

[NaomiRose]

When I renewed my driver's license last time, I figured out the photo requirements and found the standards quite strict. The photo must be taken within the last six months, a colored front-facing shot without any hats or glasses, ensuring the entire face is visible with a natural expression—no exaggerated smiles. The background must be pure white, and the size should be approximately the standard small one-inch of 32mm by 22mm. This is mainly to prevent impersonation and facilitate traffic police in identifying individuals. Before renewing, it's best to go to a professional photo studio where they can adjust the lighting and pose properly. To save money and effort, you can take the photo yourself at home against a white wall, but be careful not to tilt the shot. I've also heard of people trying to use old photos, only to be asked to retake them, which wastes time. An unqualified photo can delay the renewal process and affect driving, so checking the size and clarity in advance is crucial. Renewing a driver's license already involves other steps like medical exams, and while the photo might seem minor, it's not something to take lightly.