Can I take my own driver's license photo?

[DeBrooke]

You can bring your own photo for driver's license renewal. The photo for a driver's license must be a standard one-inch photo with strict requirements on size and format. The specific dimensions are: height and width of 3.2CM*2.2CM. The head length should be between 1.9CM to 2.2CM, and the width should be between 1.4CM to 1.6CM. There are also requirements for the background, which must be white. Only photos that meet these requirements will be accepted, as driver's license photos require a receipt, and the photo will be reviewed during verification. This also means that any photo that can obtain a receipt meets the requirements.

[VanMiranda]

You can certainly take your driver's license photo yourself, but it must strictly comply with the requirements of the traffic management department. I've seen many people get rejected because the background color was wrong or the head proportion exceeded the standard. Remember to use a pure white background wall, wear dark-colored clothes, avoid wearing jewelry and hats, and make sure your ears are visible. The lighting should be sufficient but without shadows, and using the rear camera of your phone will give you a clearer picture. I recommend carefully checking the dimensions before uploading the photo via the 12123 traffic management app to avoid wasting time. Actually, many photo studios now offer this service for just 20 yuan, which is worry-free and convenient, especially since a driver's license is valid for 6 years.

[MacHaven]

No problem taking it yourself, that's exactly what I did. Last year when renewing my license, I asked a friend to help - we took dozens of shots against a white wall and picked the best one. Three key points: leave one finger's width space above your head, make sure shoulders are fully visible, and absolutely no beauty filters or retouching. Finally, just crop it to 33mm×22mm using free software. When uploading to the traffic police app, it said review would take a day but actually passed in half an hour. This is much more flexible than taking photos at the DMV, plus you can use a photo you like. But don't try saving money by using old photos - expired ones will get rejected.

[BriellaRose]

Taking your driver's license photo as a selfie is acceptable, but pay attention to the details. The background must be pure white without any clutter, and you should wear a dark-colored collared shirt facing the camera directly. All facial features must be visible without obstruction, with a natural expression and no teeth showing. It's recommended to use a phone stand to stabilize the shooting position and avoid blurriness from hand shaking. When uploading, ensure the resolution is no lower than 300dpi; otherwise, the printed photo may appear fuzzy. Nowadays, DMV self-service kiosks also come with photo-taking functions, providing photos in just two minutes for added convenience. While taking the photo yourself is handy, it requires higher technical skills—if it doesn't meet the standards, you'll have to start over.