What color clothes should I wear for my driver's license photo?
3 Answers
There are no specific requirements for the color of clothes in driver's license photos in principle. However, since the photo background is required to be white, it is best to wear bright-colored clothes with high contrast. Below are specific details about driver's licenses: 1. Classification: The Ministry of Public Security officially issued the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Business Work Standards," which introduced a grading system for motor vehicle driver's licenses, dividing them into 15 levels: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, D, E, F, M, N, and P. 2. Renewal Regulations: If a motor vehicle driver has not accumulated 12 penalty points in any scoring cycle during the six-year validity period of their driver's license, they can renew it for a ten-year validity period. If they continue to avoid accumulating 12 penalty points in any scoring cycle during the ten-year validity period, they can renew it for a long-term valid driver's license. 3. Content: A motor vehicle driver's license records the holder's ID number, name, gender, date of birth, permanent address, nationality, permitted driving (learning) vehicle type code, initial issuance date, validity period, and management records. It also includes the issuing authority's seal, file number, and the holder's photo. The design of the motor vehicle driver's license is specified by the Ministry of Public Security.
I did some research on this when taking my driver's license photo, and wearing dark-colored clothes is the safest bet. The background cloth at the DMV is usually light gray, so if you wear white or light-colored clothes, your entire head might blend in, making it harder for the photo to pass the review. I recommend choosing solid-colored tops in black, navy blue, or dark gray, with a shirt featuring a small collar for a more formal look. Avoid turtlenecks that cover your neckline and stay away from striped or flashy clothes, as they might confuse the recognition system. Back then, I specifically picked a dark blue polo shirt and passed on the first try. Also, a quick reminder: don’t let your hair cover your ears, and keep your expression natural—otherwise, retaking the photo can be quite a hassle.
I've handled quite a few photo review cases like this and found that clothing color and background pairing are particularly crucial. Driver's license photos require solid-colored, high-contrast clothing, with dark colors being the safest choice because they create strong contrast against the light gray background, making it easier for the system to capture facial contours. While bright red or green may stand out, they can cause glare that interferes with recognition, especially with synthetic fabrics under flash photography. Nowadays, many locations require collared shirts for photos as the collar helps clearly define the neck position. I recommend calling the local DMV in advance to check for any special requirements. Last time, my neighbor wore a gray hoodie and had to retake the photo, which was quite time-consuming to make an extra trip.
