Condensed guide. Read the full UK driving licence photo (DVLA online) requirements or the rejection diagnostic.
Specification
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Pixels at 300 / 600 dpi | 413 × 531 px / 827 × 1063 px |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 29–34 mm |
| Eye line from bottom | not specified |
| Head width | not specified |
| Space above the crown | not specified |
| Background | white or light grey |
| Background editing | not allowed (retake instead) |
| Glasses | allowed only with no glare and frames clear of the eyes |
| Expression | neutral, mouth closed |
| Recency | taken in the last month |
| Print requirements | photo paper, no creases — Paper applications (D1 form) need one printed 35×45 mm photo. |
| Digital upload | 1050×1350 px JPEG, 50–10 MB (DVLA online driving licence application); 827×1063 px JPEG (Printing a 35×45 mm photo for a D1 paper form) |
| Self-taken photos | accepted |
| Prints needed | 1 |
| Infant rules | eyes open, mouth closed (under 1) |
| Official source | GOV.UK – Apply for your first provisional driving licence |
Check the official source. Some values on this page could not be confirmed from the official page when it was last checked (2026-10-28).
- The GOV.UK provisional licence page fetched does not describe the photo step. DVLA's online service reuses your passport photo from HM Passport Office where you give your passport number, and otherwise takes an uploaded digital photo to the HMPO standard; the upload limits are assumed to match HMPO (at least 600×750 px, 50 KB–10 MB). Re-check in the DVLA service.
- Reusing your passport photo via your passport number is the quickest route.
Can I take it myself? Yes
Yes. GOV.UK lets you take a digital passport-standard photo with your own device, and the DVLA online service accepts the same standard where it asks you to upload. If you have a valid UK passport the simplest route is to give DVLA your passport number and let it reuse that photo; use this tool when you do not, when your passport photo is old, or when you want the licence photo to be current. Background editing is not permitted.
Why UK driving licence photos get rejected
- Shadow on face or background. Face the light and step away from the wall.
- Head outside 29–34 mm. Adjust the head-size control.
- Background too dark or busy. Plain light grey or cream.
- Glasses glare or tint. Remove them.
- Photo altered. No filters; retake.
UK driving licence photo FAQ
Can DVLA use my passport photo?
Yes, if you give your UK passport number in the online application and the photo is suitable.
What are the photo rules?
The passport standard: 35×45 mm proportions, head 29–34 mm, plain light-grey or cream background, plain expression, unaltered.
Can I take it myself?
Yes, with someone else holding the phone and a plain background.
Do I need a printed photo?
Only for a paper D1 form; online applications use the digital photo.
Are glasses allowed?
Only if you must wear them, with no tint or glare.
Is the UK passport preset the same?
Yes, same standard; a Single licence covers both.
Related documents
Last verified 2026-10-28 against GOV.UK – Apply for your first provisional driving licence. Spotted a mistake? Report an error.