Is the photo on the driver's license an electronic version?
2 Answers
No, generally the photo from the ID card cannot be used. It must be a newly taken ID photo within the last six months. Below are the relevant details about the driver's license photo: 1. Regulations: The photo must be a straight-on, full-color, single-person photo of the applicant taken within the last 6 months, without a hat, and not wearing a uniform. The image should be clear, with a natural expression and no obvious distortion. The photo size should be 32mm*22mm (1 inch), with a head width of 14mm-16mm and a head length of 19mm-22mm. It can refer to the standard of the second-generation ID card photo. 2. Notes: You cannot replace the photo on the driver's license by yourself. Because the driver's license photo issued by the state has an embossed stamp, if you replace the photo yourself without the stamp, it may cause unnecessary trouble if checked by traffic police. If the photo on the driver's license is unclear, you can bring your own photos (three 1-inch color photos with a white background), ID card, and a copy of the ID card to the vehicle management office, fill out an application form, and reapply for a new driver's license.
I just renewed my driver's license a few days ago and remember clearly that the photo was directly printed on the card as a hardcopy, not a digital version. When applying, you either take a photo on-site or bring a USB drive with an electronic photo to upload to the system. Nowadays, the electronic driver's license app is very popular. After logging in, the displayed photo is digital and can be screenshotted for saving, but the physical card still has a paper photo that can yellow or wear over time. To update the photo, you have to visit the DMV to retake it, which is quite troublesome. I recommend checking your license's expiration date and photo clarity annually to avoid issues during long-distance drives when inspected. Digital technology is advancing quickly, and perhaps physical cards will be phased out in the future, replaced entirely by electronic photos.
