South Korean driving license photo online: requirements and how to make one
Getting a suitable photo for a South Korean driving license is possible without visiting a photo studio. You can take a photo at home and use an online tool to crop it to the required dimensions and prepare the digital file. Below, you’ll find the key photo requirements and the steps for creating one online.
Table of contents
- Documents required for driving license application in South Korea
- South Korean driver’s license photo requirements
- Digital photo requirements for online application
- Get your photo for a South Korean driver’s license application online!
- How to take a compliant driver’s license photo at home
- How many photos do you need for a Korean driver’s license?
- Can you use a passport photo for a Korean driver’s license?
- Do you need a new photo when replacing a lost Korean driver’s license?
Documents required for driving license application in South Korea
The documents required for a South Korean driver’s license depend on whether you are taking the driving test or exchanging a valid foreign license. In general, foreign applicants must be legal residents of South Korea and hold an Alien Registration Card (ARC). Tourists on short-term visas are not eligible.
Documents for taking the Korean driving test
If you are applying for a Korean driver’s license for the first time, prepare the following paperwork:
- Passport and Alien Registration Card (ARC): These documents confirm your identity and legal residency.
- Medical examination: A physical fitness test is required and must be completed within two years of your application. You can take it at the test center or an approved medical facility.
- Photos and application form: Bring three recent color photos measuring 3.5 × 4.5 cm. You can complete the application form at the test center.
Documents for exchanging a foreign license
If you hold a valid foreign driver’s license, you will generally need the following documents at a Driver’s License Examination Office:
- Valid passport: Bring your original passport, including your entry record.
- Alien Registration Card (ARC): The original card proving your legal residence in South Korea.
- Valid foreign driver’s license: Submit the original full license. Provisional or learner’s licenses are not accepted.
- Proof of license authenticity: Provide an apostille or a confirmation letter from your country’s embassy or consulate in Korea, issued within the past year.
- Passport-style photos: Bring 3 color photos measuring 3.5 × 4.5 cm, taken within the last six months.
- Certificate of Entry and Exit (출입국사실증명서): This document may be required and is available from a local community service center or immigration office.
- Application form: Complete the form at the examination office.
- Fee: Pay the applicable license exchange, processing, and testing fees.
South Korean driver’s license photo requirements
A South Korean driver’s license photo must meet strict format and appearance standards. Even minor issues with the size, background, or facial positioning can lead to rejection.
- South Korea driver’s license photo size and format: Submit a printed color photo measuring 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
- Photo date: The photo must be taken within the last six months.
- Background: Use a plain white background with no patterns or shadows. Blue and gray backgrounds are not accepted.
- Pose and expression: Face the camera directly without a hat or glasses. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and teeth not visible.
- Face size: The distance from the chin to the top of the head must measure 3.2–3.6 cm.
- Quality and editing: The image must be sharp and have a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Do not use heavy retouching or other alterations that change your appearance.
Here is an example of a South Korean driver’s license photo:
Digital photo requirements for online application
When using the Safe Driving Integrated Civil Service platform, your digital photo must meet these requirements:
- The Korean driver’s license photo size for online submission must be at least 350 × 450 pixels.
- File format: JPG, up to 250 KB
- Photo format: Color photo equivalent to 3.5 × 4.5 cm, taken within the last six months.
- Background: Plain white.
- Pose: Face the camera directly with a neutral expression.
- Appearance: No hat or sunglasses. Excessive retouching is prohibited.
- Face size: The distance from the chin to the top of the head must be 3.2–3.6 cm.
The online system uses facial recognition to compare the submitted image with your existing license photo. Significant editing or retouching can prevent the system from verifying your identity and may result in rejection.
Get your photo for a South Korean driver’s license application online!
Photo errors can cause a South Korean driver’s license application to be rejected, so getting the format right is essential. With the Visafoto Korean driver’s license photo maker, you can prepare a compliant photo online without visiting a photo studio. Just follow these two steps:
- Upload your photo to the Visafoto tool below. For best results, use a photo taken in good natural light.
- Choose the country and document type: select South Korea and driver’s license.
Visafoto automatically formats the image to match the required specifications, including the photo size, background, and head position. You receive a digital file for online applications and a printable version.
The tool can also improve common photo issues. It can adjust lighting, sharpen the image, improve resolution, and fix framing when the original photo is too tightly cropped. You can even photograph an existing passport-style photo with your phone and use Visafoto to improve the quality of the resulting image.
If your original photo already meets the quality requirements, Visafoto leaves it unchanged where no adjustment is needed.
Original photo:
Photo after Visafoto editing:
Visafoto reports a 99.7% acceptance rate based on more than 1,000,000 approved images. If your photo is rejected, you receive a full refund. 24/7 technical support is also available if you need help.
How to take a compliant driver’s license photo at home
You can take a suitable 3.5 x 4.5 cm photo for a Korean license with a smartphone at home. Use even lighting, a stable camera, and a simple background to create a clear image that meets the official requirements.
- Lighting: Take the photo in daylight near a window. Avoid direct sunlight and strong flash, which can create harsh shadows or reflections. A sheer curtain can soften bright light. If you use lamps, place two lights at about eye level on either side of your face to reduce shadows. Cover harsh lights with white fabric to diffuse them.
- Camera position: If the photo needs to show your shoulders, place the camera about 1–2 meters away. Use a tripod or ask someone to take the picture. Keep the camera at eye level and shoot straight on to prevent facial distortion.
- Pose and expression: Face the camera directly with your shoulders straight. Keep your eyes open and your mouth closed. Make sure your entire face remains visible and remove hats and sunglasses.
- Clothing and appearance: Wear simple, solid-colored clothing, preferably in a darker shade that contrasts with the white background. Avoid prominent patterns and logos. Keep your hair tidy and facial hair well-groomed. Use natural-looking makeup and remove bulky accessories, headphones, and sunglasses.
- Background: A plain background makes it easier to produce a clean final image. Visafoto can replace the background when necessary, but starting with a simple, solid-colored backdrop improves the accuracy of the result.
How many photos do you need for a Korean driver’s license?
For a first-time Korean driver’s license application, you need 3 identical color photos measuring 3.5 × 4.5 cm. The photos must be taken within the last six months and meet the official requirements.
For an online reissuance after a lost or damaged license, you submit one digital photo that meets the required format.
Can you use a passport photo for a Korean driver’s license?
Yes. You can use a passport photo for a Korean driver’s license as long as it shows your current appearance and was taken within the past six months. The required 3.5 × 4.5 cm size matches the standard Korean passport photo format, so a compliant passport photo can also be used for a driver’s license application.
Do you need a new photo when replacing a lost Korean driver’s license?
When you replace a lost Korean driver’s license, you generally do not need to provide a new photo. The Korea Road Traffic Authority (KoROAD) can reissue the license using the photo already stored in your records.
Since June 30, 2026, applicants using KoROAD’s Safe Driving Integrated Civil Service platform can choose to submit a new photo during online reissuance. If you do not upload one, the system continues to use your existing photo. A new photo is therefore optional when replacing a lost license.