Is a Photo Required for Driver's License Renewal?
2 Answers
A new photo is required for the 6-year license renewal. A recent one-inch, white-background, color, bareheaded photo must be used for driver's license renewal. If the photo does not meet the requirements, a new qualified photo needs to be taken. When initially obtaining a driver's license, its validity period is six years. After the motor vehicle driver's license is renewed, the original document becomes invalid and cannot be used again. It is necessary to properly keep the driver's relevant information on the motor vehicle driver's license and not discard it casually, otherwise, information leakage may easily cause problems in the use of the motor vehicle driver's license.
I just renewed my driver's license a few days ago, and photos are indeed required. They printed the new license with my photo before handing it to me. The photo must be recently taken, with a plain white background and in small one-inch size, as clear as a passport photo. I went to a professional photo studio to get it done in advance to save time, since the renewal process also includes a physical exam to test vision, and it's best to complete everything in one go. I recommend checking the local DMV requirements beforehand, as the size specifications might vary slightly, and make sure the lighting is adequate without glare. The whole process is relatively quick, usually taking two to three days to get the new license, but without a photo, it can get stuck and waste time. Additionally, the new electronic driver's license might place more emphasis on photo quality, so ensure your head isn't positioned too high or low. Making sure your photo meets the requirements is the first step—don’t overlook this detail to avoid a wasted trip.
