Yes, we know that a driver's license photo is not your average glamor shot, but a serious identifier that helps law enforcement keep potential threats under control.
But this document is issued for 10 years, is it really a crime to want to look good in a photo?
We asked the pros to tell us their best tips for getting the best license shot without breaking a sweat.
Source: iStock
Gather your hair
The worst thing you can do is let your hair down and throw most of it over one shoulder. This will make your face look disproportionate and shorten your neck in the photo.
Pull your hair into a bun or ponytail. Too much facial hair blocks light and creates shadows, which can make you look older.
Don't pull your hair too tightly, leaving a few strands free to fall out.
Be sure to wash your hair before shooting or add shine to your hair using special products.
Driver's license photo: mandatory requirements
If you come to a photographer’s salon with the goal of taking a photo for your license, the requirements for such photographs are as follows:
- Driver's license photo size 3x4 cm;
- Nowadays there is no requirement to have a corner for printing on the image (neither in the lower left nor in the lower right corner);
- Photo paper is matte (thickness up to 0.3 mm), since it completely eliminates the formation of streaks and other marks from touching the finished photograph document with your fingers. Another reason for choosing matte paper is its ability to securely hold the print (without ink bleeding or smearing);
- The scale of the face in the photograph is 80% of the total area of the photograph, which in metric terms is about 3.20 cm;
- The face is positioned strictly from the front, and maximum openness is required: hair is removed from the face, ears and forehead should be clearly visible;
- Facial expression is neutral (a smile or other facial expressions that change facial features are not allowed);
- For your license, you must be photographed in formal clothing, but no neckline or bare shoulders are allowed;
- Photos will not be accepted if they show a person wearing a hat, headscarf or dark glasses;
- People with vision problems and wear glasses have the right to be photographed both with and without glasses. Please note that even if the photo was taken without glasses, the driver's license will necessarily contain a note stating that the driver is allowed to drive a vehicle only with glasses. There are separate requirements for glasses in which a person is photographed for his license: they should not have a massive frame that hides a significant part of the face, and also have tinted lenses that hide the eyes. Lens glare is not allowed in the photograph;
- The photograph must be clear, sharp, without glare or shadows. Contrast – medium (excessive lightening or darkening of the image is not acceptable). Poor quality photographs will not be accepted at the traffic police department;
- The area above the head should be 2-4 mm in size;
- In accordance with modern rules, photos for a driver's license must be in color and on a red background, as opposed to the mandatory white background on an old-style license;
- The last rule is the accuracy of the photo. Photos to obtain a driver's license must not have external damage (scratches, breaks, surface cracks, as well as stains of any kind).
For novice drivers who do not know how many photographs are needed for a license, we inform you that you will need 2 matte photographs of the specified quality, the size of which is 3x4 cm.
International rights: requirements for photographs
If you need photographs for international license, then you should keep in mind that the requirements for them do not differ significantly from the standards that apply to photographs for the preparation of Russian documents. The only way these photographs will differ is their size, which is 3.5x4.5 cm. The rest of the rules for taking photos remain unchanged.
Photo requirements for a medical certificate
When applying for a medical certificate to obtain a driver's license, you will need 1 photo that meets the following requirements:
- surface – matte (to preserve the high-quality imprint of the medical institution’s seal);
- dimensions: total size – 3x4 cm; the margin left above the head is no more than 4 mm, the size of the face in the frame is no less than 280 mm;
- the presence of a corner for printing is not necessary;
- facial expression is neutral, mouth closed (smiles or other facial expressions that change facial features are not allowed);
- color of photographs - both color and black and white photographs are allowed for medical certificates. Separately, the attention of women should be drawn to the fact that black and white photographs have the following features: dark lipstick looks almost black on them, and dark (blue, brown and purple) eye shadows create the impression of general fatigue and the presence of bruises under the eyes. In order to get rid of excess shine on your face, it is better to apply a small amount of powder or mattifying foundation to it immediately before taking photographs. As for the hairstyle, hair pulled too tightly into a ponytail or knot in frontal photographs can create the illusion of a complete absence of hair on the head, which obviously will not add to your attractiveness;
- To give your face a pleasant and friendly expression when photographing, you can, at the moment the photographer captures the frame, remember something that evokes positive emotions and positivity in you. Such photos will look very natural.
But here is a program that will help you take a photo and print it on any type of document, including a driver’s license, yourself at home. In conclusion, I would like to note that it is practically possible to independently take high-quality photographs that meet all the rules at home. But if you don’t want to suffer and waste extra time, it’s better to immediately contact professionals in a specialized studio or the traffic police department (if this department has such technical capabilities). In this case, you are guaranteed to receive high-quality photographs that will be taken in strict accordance with all norms and rules.
Last update: 05-12-2019
Can I bring my own photo?
Taking a photo yourself is possible if you have the appropriate equipment at home or at work. However, there are a number of important aspects that are worth considering. Firstly, you need to remember that the picture must be on matte paper, as well as against a light background. Secondly, the presence of glare on a photo card is unacceptable, and this can be eliminated through properly installed light or image correction.
Advice! Only if the standards are fully met will the photo be accepted by authorized traffic police officers. If you use correction programs, you can create a really high-quality image, the main thing is not to forget about the sizes, standards and other requirements.
Today, the issuance of an international driver's license is also carried out at the MFC. These establishments are also equipped with photography equipment. Therefore, when contacting an intermediary organization, and not the traffic police, you can also take a photo, the quality of which will not have any complaints. We also note that the client retains the right to independently create a photograph. An application for a new international driver's license and photo can also be submitted through the State Services portal.
What medical certificate is needed for training?
Driving a car is a big responsibility. To allow a person to drive, you need to make sure that he is completely healthy. Therefore, all driving schools require medical confirmation in the form of a certificate in form 003-B/u. Those wishing to obtain licenses of categories A, B, M and their subcategories in 2021 will have to be examined by the following specialists:
- ophthalmologist - determines the vision of the future driver, if necessary, recommends driving only with glasses or contacts;
- psychiatrist - checks mental stability;
- narcologist - identifies whether a person has harmful addictions and decides whether to allow him to study at a driving school.
Sometimes, to obtain a certificate, it is necessary to go through additional specialists, for example, an ENT specialist. The conclusion based on the examination results is signed by the therapist. If a person passes for categories C, D, T and their subcategories, he needs to go through more doctors, do an EEG and ECG. If the examination is successfully completed, the therapist issues the necessary documents. This measure is necessary to reduce the risk of accidents on the roads. A sick person will not even be allowed to study at a driving school, because he will not be able to follow the established rules, which will lead to unpleasant consequences.
What is an International Driving Permit?
An IDP or international driver's license is a document issued to a Russian citizen who has a valid national license. The card is required to drive a car in a number of countries around the world.
Note that this document is valid only if national rights are presented simultaneously with it, since in fact it is their translation. Licenses issued in Russia after 2011 are fully accepted by the international community, so a format such as an IDP will be relevant for another two years until all drivers change their licenses.
Attention! Photos for an international driver's license are slightly different from those required for national licenses and can be taken not only by the traffic police.
Photo requirements for rights in 2020
Many amateur photographers are confident in their skills and take photographs for documentation without leaving their home. Although you can take a photo yourself at home using a digital camera, it is best to do this in a special salon. Photographers know by heart all the basic state requirements for driver's license photos and take a photo that is guaranteed to be suitable for a driver's license.
In addition, most traffic police departments have the opportunity to take a photo for your driver's license. This will not only simplify the process of obtaining documents, but also make it possible to significantly save time.
If you already have ready-made photographs, but you do not know whether they meet the requirements, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with and compare your photographs to see if they are suitable for a driver’s license or not:
- In no case should the photograph taken be stained, punctured, cracked or otherwise damaged;
- The dimensions of the driver's license photo must be 30 by 40 millimeters;
- Special corners in the photo are not needed;
- Paper is exclusively matte, glossy, for example, is prohibited;
- The face must occupy at least 80% of the entire photo and be clearly visible;
- Dressing is strict; wearing a hat is prohibited;
- If you are a visually impaired driver, then you can wear glasses, but not with darkened lenses;
- Photos should not be blurry or have glare, highlights, or shadows;
- According to the new legislation, the background color is exclusively red, all photographs are in color;
There are also certain requirements in our state in relation to photographs not only for a driver’s license, but also for other official documents. Firstly, you must look into the lens with your pupils when shooting, the image is from the front, without any tilting of the head or turning it. The eyes should be open and their color clearly visible. Women are allowed to wear only neutral makeup. The background is always exclusively monochromatic.
Cost of photographs and additional services
The driver obtains an international driver's license (IDP) independently, but will have to pay for its issuance.
Zgidno with supplement No. 3 to the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation No. 355. Waters may have the right to be photographed wearing a headdress. as it does not hide most of the exposure. This right is extended to people whose religious beliefs do not allow them to go without hats. Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 627 dated June 12, 2013 – the validity period of a driver’s license has been increased to 30 years; the vehicle category includes ATVs, tricycles, and three-wheeled strollers (B1).
