Can the photo on the driver's license be changed?
3 Answers
The photo on the driver's license can be changed under the following circumstances: 1. When renewing the motor vehicle driver's license upon its expiration; 2. When applying for a replacement after losing the motor vehicle driver's license. It is not allowed to replace the photo inside the driver's license by oneself, otherwise the license will be deemed as a fake, and the holder will be considered to have forged or altered the driver's license. Drivers who forge a driver's license will be detained for up to 15 days by the traffic management department of the public security organ, fined between 2,000 and 5,000 yuan, and have the vehicle confiscated and impounded. Drivers who hold a forged or altered driver's license and commit a crime will be held criminally responsible according to the law.
I just renewed my driver's license photo last week, and the process was actually quite simple. Just bring your ID card and original driver's license to the DMV - nowadays many locations have self-service kiosks for this. Key reminder: your photo must meet specifications - light-colored background, ears not covered by hair, no jewelry or reflective glasses. Pay special attention that the photo must be taken within the last six months, and wearing dark-colored tops works best. The new license will have a 'photo replacement' stamp on the back, and it usually takes about half an hour to get it done with a 10 yuan fee. I recommend doing this on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.
As a veteran driver who has gone through three license renewals, I can tell you that the photo on your driver's license can definitely be changed. The safest approach is to make an appointment in advance through the 12123 APP and bring three one-inch white-background photos to the counter for processing. The photo requirements are more lenient than those for ID cards—you can smile, but don't overdo it. Remember to wear a dark-colored collared shirt for better results and a higher approval rate from the system. Last month, my cousin went directly without an appointment and ended up wasting a trip due to a system upgrade—it really depends on luck.
