OFFICIAL CONSULAR SPECIFICATION● PHOTO REQUIREMENTS GUIDEUK Driving Licence Photo: Renewal, Provisional Licence and DVLA Rules
When DVLA reuses your passport photo, when you upload a new one, and what a printed photo for a postal D1 application needs.
Try the assessment first. Paid downloads include a clean JPEG and print-ready sheet; review the package price before checkout. Follow the receiving authority’s photography instructions.
You must renew a photocard driving licence every 10 years, and renewing is also how you change the photo on it. If you renew online (£14), GOV.UK says you can use your passport photo or upload a new one. If you renew by post with a D1 pack from the Post Office (£17), you include a recent printed passport-type photo and do not sign the back of it. At a Post Office counter (£21.50) you bring your reminder letter. A first provisional licence costs £34 online or £43 by post on form D1. Northern Ireland uses a separate DVA service.
Who this guide is for
Drivers in Great Britain renewing a 10-year photocard, changing the photo on a full or provisional licence, or sending a D1 form by post.
Key Biometric Specifications
Preparing the photo
Practical preparation tips; use the linked application instructions for requirements.
- Decide the route first. If you apply online and have a current UK passport, check whether reusing the passport photo is offered before taking a new one.
- For an online upload, take the photo against a plain light wall with even light, someone else holding the camera, and your head, shoulders and upper body in frame.
- For a postal D1 application, use a 45×35 mm print made to a professional standard. If you prepare the digital file yourself, have it printed at exactly that size rather than cutting down a bigger print.
- Read the photo notes that come with the D1 pack before posting. Leave the back of the photo unmarked.
Mandatory Consular Rules
- Online renewal: GOV.UK says you can use your passport photo or upload a new one.
- Postal renewal: include a recent printed passport-type photo and do not sign the back of it.
- A UK passport-type print measures 45 mm high by 35 mm wide, in colour, against a plain cream or light grey background, and must not be cut down from a larger picture.
- Plain expression, mouth closed, eyes open and visible, no shadows, and no head covering unless it is for religious or medical reasons.
- Do not wear glasses unless you have to. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not allowed.
Troubleshooting the photo
The photo was cut down to size
A larger print trimmed with scissors changes the head proportion and edges.
Print at 45×35 mm directly. A print sheet with the correct layout avoids trimming errors.
The back of the photo was signed
Passport habits carry over. GOV.UK tells driving licence applicants not to sign the back.
Send a new unmarked print.
Top Rejection Pitfalls to Avoid
- Signing the back of the photo sent with a postal application.
- Trimming a larger photo down to 45×35 mm instead of printing at that size.
- A home print that is not printed to a professional standard.
- Shadows on the face or behind the head.
- Glare on glasses or frames covering the eyes.
United Kingdom photo requirements and document options
Digital and printed copies
Online applications use a digital photo: either the one from your UK passport or one you upload. Postal applications use a printed photo. Do not post a print sheet with several copies on it; send the single photo the form asks for.
Questions about this guide
Can I use my passport photo for my driving licence?
If you renew online, GOV.UK says you can use your passport photo or upload a new one. In that case you do not need a new photo.
Do I need a new photo to renew my driving licence?
Online, you can reuse your passport photo or upload a new one. By post, you include a recent printed passport-type photo.
What size is a UK driving licence photo?
A printed passport-type photo for a postal application is 45 mm high by 35 mm wide. Digital uploads are cropped by the online service.
Should I sign the back of my driving licence photo?
No. GOV.UK says not to sign the back of the photo you send with a postal renewal.
How much does it cost to renew a driving licence or change the photo?
£14 online, £21.50 at a Post Office and £17 by post. There is no fee if you are over 70 or have a medical short-period licence.
How often do I need to update my driving licence photo?
A photocard licence must be renewed every 10 years. DVLA sends a reminder before it ends.
About this guide
ApprovaVisa editorial team
Reviewed: 25 October 2026
Requirements come from the linked authority source. Where our summary and the authority differ, follow the authority.
Prepare Your United Kingdom Photo
Check the receiving authority’s instructions before preparing a photo. Use professional photography where required, and retain the original image when digital alterations are prohibited.
Try the assessment first. Paid downloads include a clean JPEG and print-ready sheet; review the package price before checkout. Follow the receiving authority’s photography instructions.