The photo for your driving licence
The photo you provide for your driving licence must meet specific standards. It may also need to be certified depending on the type of identification you are using to apply for your licence.
The type of photo you need to send
The photo taken must be:
• within the last month, a true likeness of you and of your full head
• in colour, not black and white, against a light grey or cream background
• clear, in sharp focus, free from ‘redeye’ and have no shadow in it
• free of any reflection or glare from glasses
• in good condition, not damaged, creased, torn or marked
You must:
• face forward and look straight into the camera with your eyes open and nothing covering your face
• look natural with no facial expressions eg smiling, grinning or frowning
• have nothing covering your eyes eg hair or glasses frame
• not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses
• not wear a hat or cover your head unless for medical or religious reasons
Download the template of how your photo needs to look
Download examples of correct and incorrect photos
Having your photo certified
If you’re providing identity documents other than an up-to-date passport, UK travel document or an EC/EEA identity card (apart from Sweden), you must get someone reliable to sign the back of your photo. The person signing your photo must also complete section seven of your D1 form.
DVLA will make random checks on people who sign photocard driving licence applications.
If you're renewing the photo on your driving licence you won’t need the photo certified.
The person signing your photo
The person must:
• live in the UK
• know you personally (for at least two years)
• not be a relative
Suitable people include:
• a local business person or shopkeeper
• a librarian
• a professionally qualified person, for example, a lawyer, teacher or engineer
• a police officer
• a bank or building society officer
• a civil servant
• a minister of religion
• a magistrate
• a local councillor, MP, AM, MEP or MSP
If you have come to live in the United Kingdom within the last two years and you cannot have your photo signed by someone who has known you for at least two years within the UK, you should take all the documents to your nearest DVLA local office.
They will sign your photo and fill in section seven of the application form. The DVLA local office will send your application and original identity documents to DVLA Swansea.
Find your nearest DVLA Local Office
Premium checking service
A Post Office® or DVLA local office can check your application if you don’t want to send your identification to DVLA through the post. This service isn’t available for online applications.
News
10-10-08 Garage owner guilty of biggest ever MOT fraud
A garage owner was found guilty of three counts of conspiracy to defraud at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday 8 October, after an investigation by VOSA.[This information is held on an external site]
19-09-08 Motoring fraudsters stopped in their tracks
A continuing clampdown on fraudsters by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) saw another driving test impersonator appear at Ipswich Crown Court today.[This information is held on an external site]
23-09-08 High cost of a bogus driving licence
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) continued to deliver a severe warning to motoring fraudsters at Croydon Crown Court yesterday.[This information is held on an external site]