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 must be:

taken 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
45mm high x 35mm wide (however, please don't trim your photographs to meet this condition)
taken so that your eyes can be positioned in the area marked by the shaded band (see diagram below)

clear, in sharp focus, free from ‘red eye’ and have no shadow in it
free of any reflection or glare from glasses (where possible, we recommend that you remove your glasses to avoid the possibility of rejection)
of you on your own
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, for example, smiling, grinning or frowning
have nothing covering your eyes, for example, hair or glasses frame
not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses
not wear a hat or cover your head unless for medical or religious reasons

Having your photo certified

If you are not required to provide an up-to-date UK or other EEA passport, UK travel document for identity purposes, or, If you’re providing identity documents other than an up-to-date UK or other EEA passport, UK travel document, you must get an authorised person to sign the back of your photo. This person must have known you personally for at least two years, must not be related to you in any way, and hold a NI driving licence which has been issued after 1 April 1999. The person signing your photo must also complete section six of your DL1 form. DVA will make random checks on people who sign photocard driving licence applications.

The person signing your photo must

live in the UK
know you personally (for at least two years)
not be a relative

Suitable people include

Justice of the Peace
a minister of religion
a professionally qualified person, for example, a lawyer, teacher or engineer
a librarian
a local business person or shopkeeper
a local councillor, MP, MLA, MEP or MSP
a bank or building society officer
an established civil servant
a police officer

If you have come to live in the UK 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 DVA, Driver Licensing, County Hall, Coleraine, BT51 3TB. You must make an appointment before you arrive by calling 0845 402 4000 and asking for the Identity Section, and someone will be able to help you with this.