British Driving Licence Photo
Are you about to get your first UK driving licence or renew your old one? You will be able to use your licence while driving and whenever you need to prove your identity or age.
And, as you will be displaying this document frequently, we recommend that you pay particular attention to your photo. It will accompany you for the entire ten years of the validity of your licence; make sure it's of good quality!
Table of contents
- How to apply for a UK driving licence?
- How do I get a UK driving licence if I am a foreign resident?
- Documents required for the UK driving licence application
- The UK driving licence photo requirements
- Can I wear glasses in the UK driving licence photo?
- The UK driving licence photo makeup
- Get the UK driving licence photo online!
- The UK driving licence photo guidelines
- Can I use a passport photo for a UK driving licence?
- When do I have to provide a new UK driving licence photo?
- Links
This article provides details on the UK driving licence process and photo requirements. First, check which licensing authority applies to you: DVLA serves England, Scotland and Wales, while DVA runs a separate process in Northern Ireland.
How to apply for a UK driving licence?
The following departments issue the British driving licence:
- England, Scotland and Wales: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
- Northern Ireland: Driver & Vehicle Agency.
In Great Britain, you can apply for your first provisional licence through the DVLA online service or by post using form D1. Northern Ireland residents must use the separate DVA service on nidirect rather than the DVLA application for Great Britain.
You can drive in the UK from the age of 17. There are several steps involved in the process of obtaining a licence:
- Obtaining a provisional licence. This document allows you to drive vehicles until you have passed the theory and practical parts of the test. You need to complete the application through the official service or use the appropriate postal form and await receipt of the document.
- Theory test for cars and motorcycles. The theory test consists of two parts: a test of 50 questions and a hazard perception test with 14 video clips showing different road situations. Both parts take place on the same day and you receive a certificate when you pass. After passing this test, you have two years to pass the practical part of the UK driving test. If you do not do this in two years, you will have to take the theory part again.
- A practical test. You can prepare for it either with any acquaintance who has more than three years' driving experience or with a professional instructor. The practical test takes approximately 40 minutes and is passed if 15 or fewer mistakes are made.
If you pass the test, you will receive a certificate that you can use to drive before you get your driving licence.
How do I get a UK driving licence if I am a foreign resident?
If you have moved to the UK from another country (other than the European Union), your driving licence will be valid for 12 months only. An EU licence must be changed to a UK licence at 70 or three years after the holder becomes a resident.
You can exchange your licence for a British licence if it was obtained in Andorra, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, the Falkland Islands and the Faroe Islands.
In all other cases, you must pass a driving licence test. You can only take the tests and get a full-pledged licence after spending six months in the UK.
Documents required for the UK driving licence application
To obtain a provisional licence and, in the future, a regular licence, you must submit the following documents:
- A valid UK passport or one of the following identity documents: UK birth, adoption or naturalisation certificate. If you use any of the certificates instead of a passport, you must support it with one of the following documents: National Insurance card, P45, P60 or payslip, marriage certificate or divorce paper, education certificate, gender recognition certificate.
- If you are a foreign resident, you need to provide a foreign passport with a visa sticker or stamp showing you have permission to live in the UK or a biometric residence permit (BRP).
- The photo required for your application route. For an online DVLA photo renewal in Great Britain, the service lets you use your passport photo or upload a new one. If you apply by post using form D1, include a recent printed passport-type photo. The signed-in DVLA journey will tell you if you also need to prove your identity, usually with photo ID such as a passport or driving licence.
- If you're providing identity documents other than an up-to-date UK or EEA passport, a valid UK Biometric Residence Permit or UK travel document, you must get an authorised person to sign the back of your photo. This person must live in the UK and not be a relative of yours.
Northern Ireland applications follow DVA rules. Online renewals and provisional applications require either a digital photo or a photo code. Postal applications use the relevant DVA form and a printed photo. A foreign-licence exchange in Northern Ireland is a postal application.
The UK driving licence photo requirements
The correct photo format depends on where you live and how you apply.
For a DVLA online photo renewal in England, Scotland or Wales, the official renewal service can use the photo from your passport or let you upload a new image. Follow the file prompts displayed in the live application instead of applying specifications from a different document service.
For a postal DVLA application using form D1, include a recent printed passport-type photo. The printed-photo specifications linked from the DVLA renewal guidance require a photo that is 45 mm high by 35 mm wide, with the image from the crown of the head to the chin measuring 29 to 34 mm.
Northern Ireland has a separate DVA process. For an online renewal or provisional application, you can upload an existing digital photo that meets the rules, have someone take a new one, or enter a photo code. If you apply by post, provide a printed photo. Check the current Northern Ireland driving licence photo guidance for the route you are using.
For a successful application, a new photo must meet the following criteria:
- The photo must be in colour;
- The photo must be recent and show your current appearance;
- The background must be plain and light-coloured, with no patterns, distinct shadows or extra objects;
- The photo should be taken in even lighting, with no strong shadows or overexposure;
- A digital photo should include your head, shoulders and upper body;
- Your facial expression must be neutral, with eyes open and mouth closed;
- Your hair mustn't cover the face. Make sure that your eyes are fully visible;
- Headwear is allowed only if worn for religious or medical reasons.
Here is an example:
Can I wear glasses in the UK driving licence photo?
If you wear prescription glasses, you may not have to take them off as long as the lenses and frames do not cover your eyes. If you are doing a UK driving licence with your glasses on, make sure the lenses are free of flashes and reflections. Tinted glasses are not allowed.
The UK driving licence photo makeup
You can apply make-up for a driving licence photo in the UK, but it mustn't distort your appearance. Your licence will serve as your ID, and officials should have no doubts about your identity. It is preferable to use neat, neutral makeup.
Get the UK driving licence photo online!
How do you quickly get your driver's licence photo taken from the comfort of your own home? Entrust the task to the specialised driving licence photo tool!
Source
Result
Visafoto will instantly edit your image so that it matches all the UK driving licence picture requirements. Just upload your photo here and instantly get a photo of professional quality.
- Take a photo for your UK driving licence against any background and instantly change it to white;
- Set the photo to the correct size;
- Centre the head and position the eye line at the correct level;
- Improve image quality.
Take a photo of yours like this one:
Visafoto will instantly provide you with 2 types of images:
- A digital UK driving licence photo for an online submission;
- A printable template with four separate photos sized 35x45.
Here they are:
The UK driving licence photo guidelines
- Take photos in even lighting, preferably daylight;
- Stand at a distance of 1.5-2 metres from the camera;
- Look directly into the camera, keeping your expression neutral;
- Think happy thoughts!
And Visafoto will do the right size, format and background for you.
Can I use a passport photo for a UK driving licence?
For an online DVLA photo renewal in Great Britain, yes: the service can use your passport photo, or you can upload a new photo. You do not need to prepare a separate file if you choose passport-photo reuse and the service accepts it.
For a D1 postal application, provide a recent printed passport-type photo. In Northern Ireland, follow the separate DVA instructions: an online application accepts a compliant digital photo or photo code, while a postal application requires a printed photo. Do not assume that a photo can be reused simply because it appeared in an older passport; follow the option shown in the application you are completing.
When do I have to provide a new UK driving licence photo?
In Great Britain, you must renew your full or provisional licence if you want to change its photo. A photocard licence must normally be renewed every ten years. During an online photo renewal, you can use your passport photo or upload a new one. A postal D1 photo renewal requires a recent printed passport-type photo.
Northern Ireland requires a recent photo for a provisional licence, a renewal, an optional renewal to update a significantly changed appearance, or an exchange of a licence from another country. A new photo is not normally required there for a change of name or address or for a duplicate licence, unless your appearance has changed significantly and you apply for an optional renewal.
Last update: 16 September 2026