Driver's licence and photo card · New South Wales · information
New South Wales driver's licence and photo card photo
In New South Wales the photo on a driver's licence, and on the government photo card used as proof of age, is taken by Service NSW when you apply or when your photo is due for renewal. You do not supply a photo, so there is no file or print to prepare: you turn up with your identity documents and the officer photographs you. This page explains when a new photo is needed, what to expect at the counter and what it costs.
- Photo
- Taken at the counter
- Agency
- Service NSW
- Bring a photo?
- No
- Also covers
- NSW Photo Card
Check the official source. Fees as reported from the NSW fee page by search on 2026-10-29. The in-person photo rule for renewals is long-standing practice but was not re-confirmed on a Service NSW page. Photo Card fee not confirmed.
How it works
- Visit a Service NSW service centre (or a council agency in some regional areas).
- Bring your current licence or proof of identity documents and pass the eyesight test if required.
- Have your photo taken at the counter. Renewing online reuses your last photo only while it is current; when a new photo is due, you must go in person.
- Pay the fee for the term you choose. A digital licence is available in the Service NSW app once your card is issued.
About the photo
- Photos are taken against the service centre backdrop; remove hats and sunglasses.
- The NSW Photo Card (for people who do not hold a licence) is applied for in person and photographed the same way.
- If you need a photo for a NSW Working with Children Check, that is captured at a service centre too; see the WWC page.
Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Unrestricted licence, 1 year | $74 (check) |
| Unrestricted licence, 5 years | $172 (check) |
| Unrestricted licence, 10 years | $234 (check) |
Figures as published on the official fee page and reported by a web search on 2026-10-29; the page itself was not re-opened, so check the current amount before you go. The fee page says its fees are effective 1 July 2026.
Current fees on the official site
Why this site has no tool for it
This site only makes photos for documents that accept a photo you supply. Here the photo is taken at the counter, so a file or print you bring is not used, and selling one would be misleading. For documents that do take your own photo, such as passports, many visas and some working with children checks, use the ID photo hub or the photo maker.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my own passport photo instead?
No. The agency photographs you at the counter so the photo on the card is captured under its own lighting and identity checks. A printed or digital photo you bring is not used.
What should I wear for the photo?
Anything you would wear for a passport photo: plain clothing, hair off the face, no hat or sunglasses. Religious head coverings are fine if the whole face is visible.
Can I keep my glasses on?
Usually the counter officer will ask you to remove glasses if there is glare or the frames cover your eyes. If you wear glasses for driving, the licence records that as a condition regardless of the photo.
Why is there no photo tool for this card?
There is nothing to make: the photo is taken by the agency. This page explains the process and costs; use the passport photo tools on this site only for documents that accept a photo you supply.
Sources
Rules on this page last verified against these sources on 29 October 2026. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.