Do I Need a Photo for the Subject 4 License?
2 Answers
Whether a photo is required for obtaining the license after passing Subject 4 depends on the local driving test procedures. Currently, in most regions, the vehicle management office will use the portrait information collected during registration to produce the license after passing Subject 4. However, in some areas, the vehicle management office will collect portrait information on-site or require applicants to bring their own photos for license production after passing Subject 4. Nowadays, most vehicle management offices adopt the first method. After the Subject 4 results are uploaded, the system will directly use the photo taken during the driving school registration to produce the license. But if the local vehicle management office uses the latter method, then you need to bring your own photo. The requirements for the Subject 4 photo are as follows: The photo size should be one inch, and it must be a recent bareheaded front-facing photo taken within six months before applying for the driver's license; Both men and women should not wear earrings, but those who need vision correction should wear glasses; Women's hair should not be loose, and men's hair should not be too long; Red clothes and uniforms are not allowed; The background color should be white; The head should occupy about two-thirds of the photo. If you want to change the driver's license photo, you can communicate with the driving school in advance to have them collect your portrait information again. This way, after the photo is uploaded to the system, the updated photo will be used for license production. Additionally, in some regions, after completing Subject 4, the driver's license will not be issued directly to the students. Instead, students will be asked to choose a method of receiving the license, such as picking it up at the vehicle management office or by mail. If mailed, it usually takes about 3-7 days to receive the driver's license.
Last time I took the subject four test, I completely forgot to prepare photos. That morning, I rushed to the test center, and the staff told me I had to take photos on the spot, which almost caused a delay. Photos are essential throughout the entire process of getting your driver's license. Generally, you need to submit standard one-inch photos with a white background and a natural expression during the initial application review or before the test. If you don't bring them, you can only take photos at designated spots on-site, costing an extra 20-30 yuan, which is a minor issue. The key point is that you can only officially drive on the road after obtaining the license. I recommend you go to a professional photo studio a week in advance to take one and keep an electronic copy as a backup to avoid last-minute issues affecting your license acquisition. The photo on the driver's license is for security purposes, verifying identity and preventing fraud, so this matter cannot be taken lightly. By the way, remember to bring all the required materials on the test day, don't be in a rush like I was.
