UK Driving Licence Photo Online in 3 Minutes

UK Driving Licence Picture: Common Questions

1. How much are your services?

   The price depends on which package you choose. Both options are significantly cheaper than photo booths or in-store services (which usually cost £10–£16):

   Package	What You Get	Price
   8 Prints + Digital	8 printed photos delivered by mail + a digital driving licence photo	£6.95
   Digital Only	Digital photo + print-ready file + online photo code (no prints)	£2.95

   Both options include expert compliance checks and are suitable for full or provisional UK driving licences.

2. How do you guarantee that DVLA will accept my photo?

   Before delivering your final photo, we review it against all DVLA photo requirements — including size, lighting, head position, background, and facial expression.

   Our experts won’t approve or deliver your photo until it fully meets the official standards for either a full or provisional UK driving licence. That’s how we ensure 100% acceptance — or your money back.

3. How soon will I get my driving licence photos?

   If you choose a digital photo or print-ready template, you’ll receive it instantly — available for immediate download and sent to your email.

   If you order printed photos, they’ll be delivered to your address within 2 business days by Royal Mail.

4. What if I need a provisional driving licence photo?

   Our service works for both full and provisional UK driving licences. Their photo requirements are exactly the same — size, lighting, expression, and background — so you can use the tool as normal and get a DVLA-compliant result.

5. What picture should I upload to your editor?

   Make sure you’re facing the camera directly with a neutral expression — no smiling, no tilting. Your head and upper shoulders should be fully visible, with space above your head and no shadows on your face.

   You don’t need to worry about size or background. We’ll automatically crop the image to the correct dimensions and remove the background for you.

6. How do I print my driving licence photo using your template?

   To print your driving licence photo from our 6×4″ template, you can use Max Spielmann’s online service or a self-service iSnaps kiosk. Here’s how both methods work:

   How to print your driving licence photo online

   1. Save the template: Use our tool to prepare your 6×4″ photo sheet and download it.
   2. Visit the website: Go to maxphoto.co.uk/photo-prints.
   3. Select ‘6×4” Print’ and click ‘Personalise’.
   4. Upload the template: Choose the saved file and proceed without edits.
   5. Choose delivery: Pick either Click & Collect or Home Delivery. Fill in your details.
   6. Pay: Complete checkout using card, PayPal, or Google Pay.

   Delivery: Collect in store in ~20 minutes, or receive by post within 2 business days.

   How to print your driving licence photo in-store

   1. Save the template to USB: Download your 6×4″ file and move it to a USB drive.
   2. Find a kiosk: Use Tesco’s locator and search for ‘Self-service kiosk’ locations.
   3. Insert USB: Tap the screen, choose ‘USB Stick’ and insert your drive.
   4. Select the template: Pick the 6×4″ format, locate your file, and confirm.
   5. Pay and print: Use the kiosk terminal to pay. Photos print instantly.

   Once printed, just cut out the photos along the borders and use them for your manual or automatic driving licence.

7. How many printed photos do I need for my application?

   You need 2 printed photos when submitting a paper driving licence application.

   If you order prints through our service, we’ll send you 8 printed photos. While only 2 are required, the extras are useful for other documents like your passport or ID cards, since they follow the standard 35×45 mm size.

8. What are driving licence photo requirements?

   Please note that the following rules are applicable to both full and provisional licences.
    
   Also, if you’re having your picture taken in our service, you don’t need to study the requirements for size and background—we’ll take care of them for you.
    

   Requirement	Description
   Photo size	A printed driving licence photo should measure 35×45 mm. As for the proportions, the driver’s whole head and upper shoulders must be visible–with the head taking up between 29 and 34 mm.   For a digital picture, the aspect ratio and proportions should be the same as for printouts. Yet, there is a resolution standard—it should be at least 600×750 pixels (with the file size between 50 KB and 10 MB).
   Image quality	Your photo must be in colour, have a sharp contrast and a clear focus, and not have the red-eye effect. Finally, your picture can’t be digitally altered using enhancements, filters, or any other photo effects (only background removal and resizing are acceptable).
   Printing quality	Your picture has to be printed on professional-quality white photo paper without any borders. and have no tears or creases. Your printout can’t have marks on either side (unless it needs a signature) and there mustn’t be any tears or creases.
   Background	Your driving licence photo must have a uniform background of light cream colour—without any textures, patterns or other objects in it.
   Lighting and shadows	Your face must be lit softly, evenly, and naturally (without any shadows or overexposure).
   Facial expression and appearance	Your photograph must be taken within the last 30 days to match your current appearance. When taking it, stand straight and maintain a strictly neutral facial expression—no smiling, mouth closed, eyes open, look straight into the camera.   If you wear makeup, it’s best to keep it natural and lowkey (avoid heavy makeup).
   Hair	Your hair must not cover your face. In case your hairstyle obscures your facial features, tuck it behind your ears or use an invisible hair clip (visible accessories like headbands are not allowed).
   Clothes, glasses and accessories	There is no strict dress code—just wear some business-like clothes that will make a good contrast with the background colour. Remember that hats are not acceptable in a UK driving licence photo. Headwear is allowed for religious purposes only (as long as it doesn’t cover, hide or obscure your facial features).   If you wear prescription glasses, you can keep them on only if you can’t see properly without them. However, your glasses cannot be tinted and there can’t be any glare or reflections anyway. Also, their frames can’t obscure your appearance and their shape should be neutral.   Finally, don’t wear any accessories (like decorative glasses, bold jewellery, and so on). In general, the only allowed accessories are facial piercings—but they shouldn’t make any glare or shine.

9. Where can I get a photo for my driving licence?

   Option	Pros	Cons
   Photo booth	Most stores near you will most likely have one of those.   You can get prints with a code in a couple of minutes.	Fairly outdated and laggy.   Often uncomfortable to use, with little control over the process.   Limited photo retakes—if you need new photos, you pay again.
   In-store photo shop	All is done for you: an employee will take your UK driving licence picture and print it.   Some stores will give you a photo compliance certificate.	Not all stores offer a digital copy or a photo code.   For most employees, taking photos is a side duty—the quality of the service may not be what you expect.   May be uncomfortable if you don’t like being photographed by a stranger.
   Professional studio	A trained photographer will take a 100% compliant image.   Your driving licence photos will most likely look perfect.	The prices are much higher in comparison to the other options.
   PhotoBooth Online	Quick, hassle-free and easy tool.   High-quality prints at the lowest prices.   Instant digital picture, print-ready template and photo code.   Unlimited retakes without additional charges.   Compliance check against the UK driving licence photo requirements.	Requires Internet connection.

10. Who can sign a driving licence photo?

    When applying for the document with a paper form, you must provide two printed photos. In certain cases, both of these driving licence photos must be signed by someone else.
     
    This signature serves to verify and confirm your identity for DVLA—it documents that the signing person has known you at least for two years and ensures that it is really you shown in that photo.
     
    However, there are certain requirements for your countersignatory. They must:
     

    • know you in person
    • not be your spouse or relative
    • not live at the same address as you
    • have a photo licence that’s not expired (not a paper driving licence)
    • be a legal UK resident

     
    The person signing the photo for your driving licence can be:
     

    • someone with professional qualification (for example, in pedagogics, engineering, law, etc.)
    • librarian
    • worker of a bank or a building society
    • owner of a local shop or other business
    • church minister
    • person working in the Civil Service
    • magistrate
    • councillor in your town or region
    • police officer
    • member of Parliament or Assembly

     
    The person signing your photos must also sign your application form.

11. What do you write on the back of a driving licence photo?

    It’s not enough for your guarantor to simply put a signature on your pictures. First of all, they should write the following:
     
    I certify that this is a true likeness of [your title and full name]
     
    Then, they should put their signature and today’s date right under these words.

12. How do you change your photo on driving licence?

    Whether your hold a full or provisional licence, you’ll have to renew it to change your picture.
     

    • If you have a printed photo you’d like to use (or you need to renew your driving licence without a passport), you’ll have to pick up form D1 ‘Application for a driving licence’ at a post office, fill it out and send it to DVLA along with your photo and current driving licence. This service costs £17.
    • Alternatively, if you have a valid passport and would like to use its photo, you can apply online (unless your name or title has changed) at the DVLA website. In addition to your current licence and UK passport, you’ll also need your National Insurance number and the list of all your addresses over the last three years. An online application will cost £14.

     
    Learn more about changing your driving licence picture on the official government page.