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  2. Motoring
  3. Driver licensing
  4. Apply for a Northern Ireland driving licence
  5. Identity documents and photographs

The photo for your driving licence

When you apply for a photocard driving licence in Northern Ireland, in most cases you'll need to provide a photograph which must follow specific rules. It may also need to be certified (signed) depending on the type of identification that you're using to apply for your licence.

When a photo is needed

You must provide a recent passport type photograph that's in colour if you're applying for:

  • a provisional driving licence
  • a renewal of your driving licence
  • an optional renewal of your driving licence
  • an exchange of your licence from another country*

* You will also need to provide proof of residency - there's further information about how to do this at the link below:

  • Providing proof of identity for a driving licence

When you don't need a photo

You don't need to provide a photo if the reason you're applying for a licence is:

  • a change of name and/ or address
  • a duplicate (this is a copy of your existing licence) 

To find out how to change your name and/ or address on your driving licence, go to:

  • Keeping your driving licence up-to-date

If you need a duplicate of your driving licence, you'll need to apply to replace it.

If, however, your appearance has changed significantly, you'll need to apply for an optional renewal, and for that you'll need to provide a new photograph. To do this, you need to renew your driving licence.

The type of photo you need to send

Some driving licence applications are:

  • done online and therefore need a digital photo, while others are
  • on forms that you need to fill in and post together with a printed photo

Digital photos and printed photos have different guidelines. The table below shows which photo guidelines you need to follow. 

Type of licence Can you apply online and upload a digital photo? Can you apply by post and use a printed photo?
Renew your driving licence Yes Yes
Optional renewal of your driving licence Yes, by renewing your driving licence online Yes, by renewing your driving licence
Provisional driving licence No Yes
An exchange of your licence from another country  No Yes

Guidelines for digital photos 

Use the following guidelines for digital photos. If your photo doesn’t meet the rules, your application may be returned to you.

You can:

  • use an existing digital photo if it meets the rules below
  • get a friend to take a digital photo of you
  • this online service will not allow you to continue if you are unable to upload a digital photo or enter a photo code - the photo code is a new service and is available at the locations below

Photo code locations

County Antrim outlets

There are 27 outlets offering the photo code service.

Location Address

Antrim

Gordons Chemists, Units 34-35, Castle Mall Shopping Centre, BT41 4DN

Antrim

Max Spielmann/ Timpson Ltd, c/ o Asda, 150 Junction One, BT41 4GY

Ballymena

Snappy Snaps, 57a Tower Centre, Wellington Street, BT43 6AB

Ballymena

Woodsides Pharmacy, 38-42 Church Street, BT43 6DF

Ballymena

Gordons Health & Beauty, Unit 21, 29-41 Ballymoney Street, BT43 6AL

Belfast

McKeevers Chemists, 34 Springfield Road, BT12 7AG

Belfast

Timpson Ltd, Unit 20B Castle Court Shopping Centre, BT1 1ED

Belfast

Snappy Snaps, 37 High Street, BT1 2AB

Belfast

Dundela Pharmacy, 17-19 Belmont Road, BT4 2AA

Belfast

Gordons Chemists, 15-17 Cornmarket, BT1 4DA

Belfast

Gordons Chemists, 167-169 Shankill Road, BT13 1FP

Belfast

Lockview Pharmacy, 3 Lockiew Road, BT9 5FH

Belfast

Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, Unit 1 Westwood Centre, Kennedy Way, BT11 9BQ 

Belfast

Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, 219 Shore Road, BT15 3PR

Belfast

McAreavey Pharmacy, 505-507 Falls Road, BT12 6DE

Carrickfergus

Tesco Extra, Minorca Place, BT38 8AU

Dundonald

Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, 1009 Upper Newtonards Road, BT16 1RN

Larne

Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, 1 Redlands Road, BT40 1AX

Larne

McFarlane’s Pharmacy Plus, 86-88 Main Street, BT40 1RE

Lisburn

Gordons Chemists, 164 Longstone Steet, BT28 1TT

Lisburn

Timpson Ltd, Unit B38 Bow Street Mall, BT28 1AW

Lisburn

Snappy Snaps, 10 Market Square North, BT28 1AG

Lisburn

Gordons Chemists, 54-56 Bow Street, BT28 1BN

Newtownabbey

Max Spielmann, c/ o Abbeycentre, Longwood Road, BT37 9UH

Newtownbreda

Max Spielmann, c/ o Tesco 170 Newtownbreda Road, BT8 6PZ

Portrush

Campbell's Pharmacy, 8-9 Dunluce Street, BT56 8DN

Randalstown

Gribbin Pharmacy, 55a Main Street, Toomebridge, BT41 3TF

County Down outlets

There are 28 outlets offering the photo code service.

Location

Address

Ballynahinch

Gordons Chemists, 33 High Street, BT24 8AB

Banbridge

Gordons Chemists, 19 Newry Street, BT32 3EA

Bangor

Timpson Ltd, 12B Bloomfield Shopping Centre, BT19 7HB

Bangor

Gordons Chemists, Springhill Shopping Centre, BT19 1ND

Bangor

JT's Kodak Express Bangor, 65a Main Street, BT20 5AF

Bangor

Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, 2 Market Lane, BT20 4SD

Castlewellan

McKeevers Chemists, 13 Main Street, BT31 9DF

Donaghadee

Gordons Chemists, 23 New Street, BT21 OAG

Downpatrick

Gordons Chemists, 33-37 Market Street, BT30 6LP

Downpatrick

Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, Ballydugan Retail Park, Ballydugan Road, BT30 6AJ

Dundrum

Groves Chemists, 165-167 Main Street, BT33 0LY

Kilkeel

Gordons Chemists, 57 Newcastle Street, BT34 4BH

Killough

Killough Pharmacy, 37 Castle Street, BT30 7QQ

Kircubbin

McKeevers Chemists, 38-40 Main Street, BT22 2SP

Knocknagoney

Timpson Ltd, c/ o Tesco, Knocknagoney Road, BT4 2PW

Lisburn

Gordons Chemists, 54-56 Bow Street, BT28 1BN

Newcastle

Gordons Chemists, 16 Railway Street, BT33 0AL 

Newcastle

McKeevers Chemists, 5-7 Main Street, BT33 0AD

Newry

DOCSOL, 7 Monaghan Street, BT35 6BB

Newry

Gordons Chemists, 9 Sugar Island, BT35 6HT

Newry

McKeevers Chemists, 11 Marcus Square, BT34 1AE

Newry

McKeevers Chemists, 53-55 Mill Street, BT34 1AJ

Newtownards

Gordons Chemists, 2a Regent Street, BT23 4LH 

Newtownards

Kodak Express Newtownards, 13 Frances Street, BT23 7DW

Newtownards

Photo Monkey, 1 Conway Square, BT23 4DA 

Rathfriland

Gordons Chemists, 16 Main Street, BT34 5PS 

Rostrevor McKeevers Chemists, 16 Bridge Street, BT34 3BG

Saintfield

Gordons Chemists, 59 Main Street, BT24 7AB

County Armagh

There are 12 outlets offering the photo code service.

Location

Address

Armagh

Dougans Chemist, 33-37 Ogle Street, BT61 7EW

Armagh

Emersons Supermarket, 55-57 Scotch Street, BT61 7DF

Armagh

Gordons Chemists, 27-29 Scotch Street, BT61 7DD

Armagh

McKeevers Chemists, 63-65 Thomas Street, BT61 7QB

Armagh

McKeevers Chemists, 140 Railway Street, BT61 7HP 

Craigavon

Max Spielmann/ Timpson Ltd c/ o Tesco Highfield Road, BT64 1AG

Keady

McKeevers Chemists, 20 Davis Street, BT60 3RS

Lurgan

Gordons Chemists, 10 Market Street, BT66 6AQ

Newry

Gordons Chemists, 9 Sugar Island, BT35 6HT

Newry

McKeevers Chemists, 4 Monaghan Street, BT35 6AA

Portadown

Gordons Chemists, 4-5 High Street Mall, BT62 1HX 

Portadown

Max Spielmann/ Timpson Ltd, c/ o Asda, Bridge Street, BT63 5AQ 

County Londonderry

There are 13 outlets offering the photo code service.

Location Address

Castledawson

McKeevers Chemists, 3 -17 Main Street, BT45 8AA

Coleraine

Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, Superstore 1, Ring Road, BT52 1QP

Coleraine

Timpson Ltd, Unit 12 Diamond Centre, BT52 1DT

Coleraine

Snappy Snaps, 7 Kingsgate Street, BT52 1LB

Limavady

Gordons Chemists, Unit 2, 57-61 Main Street, BT49 0EP

Londonderry

Gordons Chemists, 3a-3b Strand Road, BT48 7BH

Londonderry

Murphy’s Chemist, 165 Spencer Road, BT47 1AH

Londonderry

Timpson Ltd Unit 1A, Level 4 Foyleside Shopping Centre, BT48 6XY

Magherafelt

McGlaughlins Pharmacy, 38 Rainey Street, BT45 5AQ

Magherafelt

O'Brien's Pharmacy, 5 Broad Street,  BT45 6EB

Magherafelt

O'Kanes Pharmacy, 11-13 High Street, Draperstown, BT45 7AA

Magherafelt

O'Kanes Pharmacy, 6a Tobermore Road, Draperstown, BT45 7AG

Magherafelt

Timpson Ltd, Unit 24 Meadows Shopping Centre, BT45 6PR

County Tyrone

There are 15 outlets offering the photo code service.

Location Address

Aughnacloy

McKeevers Chemists, 67-69 Moore Street, BT69 6AR

Castlederg

Corrys Chemists, 13-14 The Diamond, BT81 7AR

Coalisland

Dormans Healthcare, 6a Lineside, BT71 4LP

Cookstown

Coagh Pharmacy, 11 Main Street, Coagh, BT80 0EN

Cookstown

Falls Pharmacy, 56 William Street, BT80 8NB

Cookstown

Gordons Chemists, 6-10 Oldtown Street, BT80 8EF

Cookstown

Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, Sweep Road, BT80 8JR

Dungannon

Gordons Chemists, 14 Scotch Street, BT70 1AR

Dungannon

Timpson Ltd, c/ o Tesco, Beech Valley, BT71 7BN

Fivemiletown

Fivemiletown Pharmacy, 96-98 Main Street, BT75 0PW

Moy

McKeevers Chemists, 20 Charlemont Street, BT71 7SL

Omagh

Corrys Chemists, 37 Main Steet, Gortin, BT79 8PQ

Omagh

Gordons Chemists, 30 Market Street, BT78 1EH

Omagh

Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, 31 Dromore Road, BT78 1QZ

Strabane

Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, Railway Road, BT82 8EQ

County Fermanagh

There are five outlets offering the photo code service.

Location Address

Enniskillen

Corrys Chemists, 15 Darling Street, BT74 7DP

Enniskillen

Enniskillen Photoshop, 5 Regal Pass, BT74 7NT

Enniskillen

Gordons Chemists, 18 High Street, BT74 7EH

Enniskillen

Max Spielmann/ Timpson Ltd, c/ o Asda, Derrychara Road, BT74 6JG 

Irvinestown

PillBox Pharmacy, 24 Church Street, BT94 1EH

Digital photo rules:

  • your photo must look like you and must have be taken in the last month
  • use a plain light-coloured background with no patterns or textures and don't have objects behind you
  • no shadows on your face or behind you - it's best to use natural sunlight, for example facing a window
  •  stand 0.5 metres (1.5 feet) away from your background (this helps to stop shadows appearing)
  • the person taking the photo should stand 1.5 metres (5 feet) from you
  • include your head, shoulders and upper body in the photo and look straight at the camera
  • have a plain expression so don't smile or frown - eyes open and mouth closed
  • eyes fully visible, hair away from your face and eyes
  • take your glasses off if you can - if you need to keep your glasses on, your eyes must be visible without any glare or reflections 
  • no sunglasses or tinted glasses
  • no headwear unless it's for religious or medical reasons
  • don't crop your photo - it will be done for you

The pictures below help to explain which photos follow the rules and shows those that don't.  The following video also explains how to take a good digital photo:

  • How to take a digital photo (same rules as digital passport photos)

 

How to take a digital photo when renewing your driving licence

Guidelines for printed photos that are posted

The photo must be:

  • printed to a high quality, such as photos printed by a booth or studio (photographs printed at home are unlikely to be of a high enough quality)
  • 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, 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)

 

Diagram showing the dimensions needed for a driving licence photograph
  • clear, in sharp focus, free from ‘red eye’ and with no shadow in it
  • free of any reflection or glare from glasses (where possible, 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 photograph certified

This section only applies to printed photos that are posted together with driving licence application forms. (Therefore it does not apply to digital photos.)

If you’re providing identity documents other than an up-to-date United Kingdom (UK) or other European Economic Area (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.

  • Having your photo certified for a driving licence

More useful links

  • Getting your driving licence back after disqualification
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Identity documents and photographs

  • Having your photo certified for a driving licence
  • Providing proof of identity for a driving licence
  • The photo for your driving licence

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