Can I take my own driver's license photo?
4 Answers
Yes, you can bring your own photo, provided it meets the requirements. Standard requirements: The photo must be a straight-on, full-color, bareheaded single portrait of the applicant taken within the last 6 months. Uniforms are not allowed. The image should be clear with natural expression and no obvious distortion. Photo dimensions: 32mm*22mm (1-inch), with head width between 14mm-16mm and head length between 19mm-22mm. Motor vehicle driver's license: The People's Republic of China Motor Vehicle Driver's License, commonly referred to as driver's license or 'driving license', is a mandatory certification document issued in accordance with Chinese laws for motor vehicle operators. Anyone driving civil motor vehicles on public roads must apply for a driver's license according to the 'People's Republic of China Motor Vehicle Driver's License Management Regulations'.
I'm the type of person who frequently handles various documents, and the driver's license photo definitely can't be taken casually by oneself. This is because the traffic management department has strict standards: the photo must clearly show the forehead and ears from the front, with a pure white or light blue background free of any other colors, a fixed size of 32mm×26mm, and no glasses, hats, or significant shadows. Taking photos at home often results in poor lighting control, impure backgrounds, or inaccurate cropping, all of which fail to meet the requirements. Last year, when I helped a friend with his application, he tried bringing a self-taken photo but was rejected and had to retake it, wasting time and costing extra money. The reason is simple: authorities need to ensure all driver's licenses are standardized to prevent forgery and facilitate identity verification. My advice is to go directly to the designated photo booth at the site when applying—their professional equipment ensures everything is done right the first time, avoiding unnecessary hassle.
I learned a lesson the hard way that driver's license photos cannot be taken by oneself. When renewing my license, I was too lazy to queue up and thought I could just take a satisfactory selfie on my balcony with my phone and bring it to the DMV. The staff took one look and said the background was yellowish with slight reflections, making it unacceptable, and asked me to retake it. In the end, I went to an authorized photo studio where they used specialized equipment and got it done in minutes. I learned the key points: even if self-taken photos look formal, they might still have issues like low resolution or uneven lighting. The standards are strict—for example, the photo must be expressionless or with a slight smile, the background must be pure white, and the ears must be clearly visible. Since then, I've never tried taking my own ID photos again and just go directly to official spots—it's hassle-free and accurate, saving me unnecessary trips.
The main reason why selfies are not allowed for driver's license photos lies in technical regulations to ensure document authenticity and anti-counterfeiting features. The photo must be a clear, unedited front-facing shot measuring 32mm×26mm with a pure white or light blue background to guarantee identification. Self-taken photos often contain beauty filters or incorrect cropping, failing to meet standards. Procedurally, photos are typically taken on-site at traffic management offices or designated photo studios where staff monitor the process to prevent fraud. This ensures all driver's licenses maintain uniform, secure, and reliable standards. I recommend avoiding risky attempts and using official services for guaranteed approval.
