What are the size requirements for C1 driver's license photos?
4 Answers
C1 driver's license requires a 1-inch photo. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China", the size requirement for applying for a motor vehicle driver's license is a bareheaded 1-inch photo of the applicant. Although driver's license photos are not as strict as ID cards, in addition to size requirements, other requirements are as follows: The photo must be a bareheaded front-facing photo taken within six months before applying for the driver's license. The photo must be a color photo with a white background. Women cannot wear earrings and cannot have loose hair. Men cannot wear earrings and their hair cannot be too long. Red clothing is not allowed, and the expression should be natural, with a slight smile if desired. The photo on the driver's license cannot be replaced privately because there will be a seal on the photo, and replacing it will make the seal on the license incomplete. If the photo is replaced without authorization and the driver is intercepted on the road, it will be considered as using a forged or altered driver's license, and corresponding penalties will be imposed.
I just went to apply for a C1 driver's license, and the photo size requirements were really strict—it had to be a small 2-inch photo, 32mm wide and 22mm high. The photographer at the studio reminded me to wear dark-colored clothes, have a pure white background without shadows, and keep a natural expression without smiling too much. The first time I took the photo, I didn’t pay attention to the size, and the DMV said it wasn’t acceptable. I had to queue up again, wasting half a day—so annoying. Incorrect dimensions can easily lead to rejection of the application, so it’s best to go to a professional photo studio or a self-service kiosk in advance. They’ll crop it according to the requirements to avoid follow-up hassles. The quality of the photo directly affects the validity of the license. If it’s not up to standard and affects your ability to drive legally, it’s a huge loss. So spending a little extra time on preparation is absolutely worth it. The DMV’s rules are quite detailed—precise dimensions make it easier for the system to archive. From personal experience, don’t try to save a little money here; choosing a proper place to take the photo is the safest bet.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I recall that the standard photo size for C1 driver's licenses has always been 32mm x 22mm, commonly known as the small two-inch size. This uniform size has been in place for many years, used by vehicle management offices to identify applicant information. The background should preferably be light-colored, ideally pure white, with a straight face shot without tilting, even lighting without reflections. If the size is too small, facial features may appear blurry, causing delays in the approval process. From a driving safety perspective, standardized photo dimensions help monitor identities, prevent fraud or confusion, and indirectly maintain traffic order. Even with digitalization nowadays, this size is still required for printing – don't assume any random smartphone photo will pass. I've personally experienced the embarrassment of having to retake photos due to incorrect sizing during license renewal. My advice for newcomers is to directly follow official guidelines and get it done at a professional photo studio – it's hassle-free, secure, and prevents delays in subsequent training or exams.
Friends, the regulation for C1 driver's license photos specifies a small 2-inch size of 32mm wide and 22mm high. If you take it yourself with a phone, adjust the size correctly, but make sure the background is pure white without any mixed colors, and face the camera directly without hats or sunglasses. If the size isn't right, your application might get stuck—I learned this the hard way when my first photo was too large and got rejected. Nowadays, many apps can help with cropping, but even lighting and a clear face are what really matter. It's best to get it done professionally in one go to avoid a second trip and unnecessary frustration. From a safe driving perspective, uniform sizing helps the system quickly identify you, ensuring you can legally get behind the wheel without issues—simple and practical.
