What are the requirements for driver's license photos?
4 Answers
For the digital photo used in the motor vehicle driver's license files of the People's Republic of China, it must be a recent (within 6 months prior to the application for a motor vehicle driver's license or temporary motor vehicle driving permit) straight-edged, front-facing, color, bareheaded, single-person half-length ID photo of the applicant, taken through digital photography. The applicant should not wear uniform-style clothing, and those who require vision correction must wear glasses. The photo must be clear, with rich layers, natural expression, no obvious distortion, a white background, and dark-colored clothing. Other requirements for driver's license photos: 1. Image file requirements: The digital photo must be a compressed image in JPG format, with a compression quality coefficient of no less than 70 (range 0-100). Generally, the file size should be between 14-30K, with dimensions of 378 pixels (height) × 260 pixels (width), a resolution of 300dpi, and 24-bit true color. 2. Head size and position: The portrait should be horizontally centered within the photo's rectangular frame, with a head width of 165 to 189 pixels, a head length of 224 to 260 pixels, and the top of the head (hairline) 10 to 20 pixels from the top edge of the photo.
When I first got my driver's license, the photo requirements were quite particular. It had to be a front-facing shot taken in a photo studio with a pure white background, with a natural expression but no big smiles, eyes wide open and not closed, hair not covering the face, and ears visible. The standard size was usually 35mm x 45mm. Hats or sunglasses weren’t allowed unless pre-approved for religious reasons. My friend tried taking one at home against a white wall, but uneven lighting caused shadows, so it got rejected and had to be redone. This is mainly to make it easier for the police to identify people and avoid confusion. Looking back now, I’d recommend wearing dark-colored clothes for better contrast and ensuring the background is clean and uniform. Honestly, the rule is quite reasonable—it ensures everyone’s identity can be quickly verified in emergencies, reducing delays. I had to retake mine twice before passing, so I learned my lesson: just go to a professional studio to get it done right the first time.
As a parent helping my child prepare for a driver's license photo, experience has taught me the requirements are meticulous: a pure white background without clutter, a front-facing bareheaded photo, a neutral and serious expression but not stiff, with eyes directly facing the camera and not distracted. The size must be precisely 35mm x 45mm—neither too big nor too small. Common issues include glare from glasses or excessive shadows in the background, so check for even lighting before letting your child take the test shot. Last time, we used a phone to take the photo, but the expression was too casual, and we had to redo it, which was quite troublesome. These standards are actually in place to prevent forgery and ensure the driver's license is authentic and trustworthy. When preparing, find a well-lit spot, center the head, and avoid wearing accessories that might affect recognition. This process taught me that even small details relate to safety.
From a travel enthusiast's perspective, uniform driver's license photo requirements are crucial: white background standard, unobstructed frontal expression, correct 35mmx45mm dimensions, no hats covering the face. The purpose is to facilitate quick verification at international airport security checks. Good lighting is essential to avoid glare. This simplifies system processing.
