In the UK, you are required to provide a photo that meets all the official requirements when applying for a driving licence. Depending on the type of application, the photo must be signed. In this blog, we will discuss the requirements of driving licence photos and who needs to sign a photo for the driving licence.
When a driving licence photo is or not needed
Whether or not a driver’s license photo is required will depend on why you are applying for a driver’s license. Here you can see the situation when you need or don’t need to provide a recent colored passport-type photo for driving licence.
| When a photo is needed | When you don’t need a photo |
| ● You have a provisional driving licence ● You are renewing your driving licence ● Optional renewal of your driving licence ● an exchange of your licence from another country ● Your appearance has changed significantly. | ● Change of name and/or address ● A duplicate (this is a copy of your existing licence) |
UK driving licence photo requirements
You must provide a photo that meets all licensing requirements. These are the basic rules for digital and printed photos that you must follow to avoid rejection of your application.
Digital photo rules
- The digital photo must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels high or ideally 900 pixels wide and 1200 pixels high.
- The online size of filed photo is between 50 KB and 10 MB.
- Your photo must be yours and taken within 1 month.
- The background should be plain light-coloured with no patterns orobjects behind you.
- You should avoid sunglasses or tinted glasses.
- Headwear is not allowed unless you wear it for religious or medical reasons.
- You should have a plain expression, no smiles or frowns.
- You should look directly into the camera and avoid tilting your body. No selfie.
- You are not allowe to wear heavy makeup that may cover your real looking in the photo.
Printed photo rules
- Printed driving licence photo must be printed of high quality with a matte or glossy finish. You can print it in a booth or studio.
- The size must be 45mm high x 35mm wide. You can’t trim your photo.
- The photo must be in color, and taken within 1 month.
- There is enough light and your face is lit evenly.
- You must show all your facial features.
- The photo must show you on your own.
- The photo must be clear and focused, free of the “red eye.”
- No reflection or glare from the glasses is allowed in the photo.
- The photo must be in good condition. Avoid damaged, creased, torn or marked printed photos.
- You should show a neutral facial expression.
What to write on the back of a driving licence photo
Before you submit the driving licence photo, you must have one with the counter-signer stating that the photo is a true likeness of yourself. Therefore, you need to sign the following on the reverse of a photo:
- “I hereby certify that this is a true likeness of ( the applicant’s name).”
- A copy of your signature counter signatory
- Position of the counter signatory
- The date of signature
- The printed name
What is a counter-signatory?
A countersignature is an additional signature added to a photo to provide confirmation of the authenticity of the document. A counter-signatory must be someone known to the applicant, such as a work colleague, manager, doctor, lawyer or leader, but not a spouse or relative.
Requirements for UK counter-signatory
If you are looking for a counter-signatory in the UK, they must meet the following requirements to sign the photo. The counter-signatory must meet all the following requirements:
- They must live in the UK.
- They know you personally ( at least two years)
- They are not be a relative.
- Hold an NI driving licence (issued after April 1, 1999)
Who can countersign a driving licence photo?
The counter-signatory may also be someone who is a person of good standing in their community and who works in a recognized profession, including a professional who is retired from the recognized profession. Here you can check the full list of occupants that can be a counter signatory.
| accountant | airline pilot | Articled clerk of a limited company |
| Assurance agent of a recognized company | bank or building society official | barrister |
| chairman or director of a limited company | chiropodist | commissioner for oaths |
| councillor, for example local or county | civil servant (permanent) | dentist |
| director, manager or personnel officer of a VAT-registered company | engineer with professional qualifications | financial services intermediary, for example a stockbroker or insurance broker |
| fire service official | funeral director | insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company |
| journalist | Justice of the Peace | legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs) |
| licensee of a public house | local government officer | manager or personnel officer of a limited company |
| member, associate or fellow of a professional body | Member of Parliament | Merchant Navy officer |
| minister of a recognised religion (including Christian Science) | nurse (RGN or RMN) | officer of the armed services |
| optician | paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals) | person with honours, for example an OBE or MBE |
| pharmacist | photographer (professional) | police officer |
| Post Office official | president or secretary of a recognised organisation | Salvation Army officer |
| social worker | solicitor | surveyor |
| teacher or lecturer | trade union officer | valuer or auctioneer (fellow or associate members of the incorporated society) |
How to update photo on driving licence
If your photo and driving licence are due to be renewed, then you will receive a letter from the DVLA reminding you that your expiry date is approaching. If you need to update a photo of your driving licence, you must renew your driving licence through the DVLA online portal or by post.
Before updating the photo on the DVLA online, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a resident of the United Kingdom and will not be disqualified from driving.
- You have a valid UK passport and want to use your passport photo.
- You have a driving licence.
- You have the addresses of where you have lived in the last 3 years.
Here you can follow the steps below to update a driver’s license photo.
- You need to visit the DVLA online portal on your browser.
- You will answer a few questions about the eligibility to renew the licence.
- Then you need to enter the emails and password or create a new account if you don’t have one.
- You must pay the £14 application fee by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.
- The DVLA will obtain the photo and signature for your new driving licence from your passport.
- You will have your new photo on your driver’s license.
However, if it is not possible to obtain a new photo from the passport, you will not be able to change your photo online. Instead, you can update the photo by post. Here you can follow the following path to renew a photo.
- You must complete Form D1 ‘Application for a Driving Licence’ from the Post Office.
- You must provide the following documents:
- A new passport photo was taken last month.
- The photocard and paper counterpart of your current licence.
- A cheque or postal order for £17, payable to DVLA.
- Identification documents if you have changed your name.
- You need to send your application and application fee to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DH
You should keep in mind that you will face a fine of £1000 if you do not update your photo after receiving your DVLA reminder.
FAQ
Can I take a driving licence photo on my phone?
Yes, you can take your driving licence photo on your phone as long as the photo meets all the strict DVLA photo standards. You can post the photo to AiPassportPhotos online photo editor to make a compliant photo that can be accepted by DVLA.
Do you need a photo for provisional licence online?
No, you don’t need a photo for a temporary license online. If you have a biometric passport, your provisional driving licence photo is sorted online. The DVLA will use the same as your passport for the provisional licence online.
What is the best color to wear for licence picture?
It is not recommended that you wear white colored clothing in the license photo, as it will blend with the background. If you want to look better in the photo, you should wear soft colored clothing, such as blue, green or pink.
Conclusion
All in all, you are required to provide a passport-size photo that meets all the requirements when your driving licence expires. Make sure you have the valid counters on the reverse of the photo to avoid rejection of the application. Don’t forget to prepare the application fee whether you apply online or by post.