Why is the photo on the driver's license blue?
3 Answers
The photo on the driver's license is not blue, but white. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," the photo on the driver's license must have a white background. White, red, and blue background photos are used for the following three types of documents: white background photos are used for ID cards, passports, visas, driver's licenses, etc.; red background photos are used for insurance, medical insurance, IC cards, temporary residence permits, wedding photos, etc.; blue background photos are used for graduation certificates, work permits, resumes, Hong Kong and Macau travel permits, passports, etc. In addition to the background color, there are other requirements for driver's license photos, as follows: No uniforms should be worn, the portrait should be clear, with rich layers, natural expression, and no obvious distortion; The photo size should be 32mm x 22mm, with a head width of 14mm to 16mm and a head length of 19mm to 22mm; The photo can be pasted or digitally printed; The shooting location should be the vehicle management office or a photo studio with a legitimate business license. Both men and women should not wear earrings, and those who need vision correction should wear glasses; Women's hair should not be loose, and men's hair should not be too long; The head should occupy about two-thirds of the photo; Applicants applying for a motor vehicle driver's license or temporary motor vehicle driving permit must provide a front-facing, hat-free, color, half-body ID photo taken within the last 6 months.
I've always wondered why the photo on a driver's license has a blue background instead of the more common white or red. Actually, this is an official international standard set to improve recognition accuracy and uniformity. The blue background creates high contrast with most skin tones, ensuring clear visibility of facial contours in poor lighting conditions, such as during nighttime traffic checks, avoiding blurriness. Red or green backgrounds are prone to color distortion during scanning or photographing, which can interfere with recognition. From related research I've read, blue wavelengths are more stable in camera processing, reducing the risk of background interference and ensuring reliable photo quality. Additionally, blue symbolizes safety and reliability, aligning with the cultural psychology of driving scenarios and helping to build trust. Standardization also facilitates mutual recognition within global transportation systems, reducing the possibility of forgery. In short, while the blue background may seem simple, the considerations behind it are deeply rooted in practical wisdom.
Ever since I got my driver's license when I was young, I noticed the photo had a blue background. At the time, I thought it was just randomly chosen and found it strange. Now, looking back, the design makes perfect sense. The blue background makes the face stand out more, unlike the old gray backgrounds where details were often unclear, leading to disputes during checks. The blue background is stable and gentle, doesn't reflect light in poor lighting conditions, making it much easier for police to verify. I've renewed my license several times, and since the blue background became standard, the system processes things faster. Red or other colored backgrounds tend to cause glare on scanners, wasting time, while the blue one avoids these issues. It also helps prevent forgery because the high color consistency makes it difficult to photoshop. Reflecting on the past, this improvement has made the driving experience more reassuring and is worth promoting.
