DVLA Photo: How to Take and Change Your Driving Licence Photo

Can You Take Your Own DVLA Photo at Home?

Yes. You can take your own driving licence photo with a smartphone, a plain wall and some daylight. You do not need a photo booth. The DVLA asks for a recent, passport-style photo, so a clear, well-lit image with a plain background gives you the best chance of acceptance.

This guide shows you how to take the photo, what rules to follow and how to apply.

How to Take a Driving Licence Photo at Home in 6 Steps

1. Check that you need a new photo. Renew your photocard licence every 10 years. Renew sooner if you want a new photo, because you can only change your photo by renewing your licence.
2. Set up a plain background and soft light. Stand in front of a plain, light-coloured wall and face a window. Turn off the flash and any overhead lights so no shadows fall on your face or the wall.
3. Position your phone. Rest your phone at eye level on a tripod or stack of books, or ask someone to take the photo from about one to one and a half metres away.
4. Pose with a neutral expression. Face the camera straight on with your head upright, your mouth closed and your eyes open. Take off your glasses and keep your hair away from your face.
5. Take several photos and choose the best. Take five or six shots with the rear camera. Switch off filters and beauty mode, then pick the sharpest, most even photo.
6. Renew online or by post. Apply online on GOV.UK and use your passport photo or upload your new one. Alternatively, send a printed photo with a D1 form by post.

What You Need Before You Start

• A smartphone with a working rear camera
• A plain, light wall or a pale sheet
• A window with soft daylight
• Your current driving licence and, for online renewals, your National Insurance number and addresses from the last three years
• About 15 minutes

DVLA Photo Requirements

The DVLA expects the same standard as a UK passport photo. Check the latest wording on GOV.UK before you apply, because the rules can change.

Requirement	What to do
Background	Use a plain, light-coloured wall with no pattern or texture
Lighting	Light your face evenly, with no shadows on your face or behind you
Expression	Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed
Pose	Face the camera and keep your head straight
Glasses	Take them off, so glare or frames do not hide your eyes
Head coverings	Wear one only for religious or medical reasons, and keep your face fully visible
Quality	Submit a sharp, in-focus colour photo with no filters or red-eye
Age of photo	Use a photo taken recently, ideally within the last month

Shadows cause many rejections. Face a window and step away from the wall to avoid them. Our UK passport photo requirements page explains how to fix lighting problems, and our UK passport picture rules page covers the full standard.

How to Change or Renew the Photo on Your Driving Licence

You cannot simply swap your photo. You must renew your full or provisional licence to get a new one with an updated photo.

Renew Your Photo Online

Most people can renew online on GOV.UK, and it costs £14. You must live in Great Britain and not be disqualified from driving. The online service lets you use your passport photo or upload a new one. You do not need to get your photo signed when you apply online.

When You Cannot Renew Online

You cannot use the online service if your name or title has changed since you received your licence, or if you hold a 5-year bus or lorry licence. Apply by post instead.

Renew Your Photo by Post

Complete a D1 form, which you can get from a Post Office or order from the DVLA, and send it with:

• Your current photocard licence
• A recent, printed passport-style photo (see how to print passport photos at home)
• The fee, which is £17 by post at the time of writing

The DVLA says a new licence should arrive within three weeks. You can keep driving while you wait.

Change a Photo on a Provisional Licence

You can update the photo on a provisional licence in the same way. Renew it online or by post, and follow the same photo rules.

Changing Your Address or Name

Changing your address does not by itself need a new photo, and you can do it separately. A name change cannot go through the online photo service. Apply by post with the supporting documents, and renew your photo in the same application.

Fees and Timings at a Glance

Method	Cost	Typical wait
Online	£14	Within about a week, depending on demand
By post (D1 form)	£17	Up to three weeks

Drivers aged 70 or over, and people with a medical short-period licence, pay nothing. Always check the current fee on GOV.UK before you pay.

Common DVLA Photo Mistakes

• Shadows on your face or behind your head. Step away from the wall and face the window.
• A patterned or dark background. Use a plain, light wall.
• Glasses, hats or hair across the eyes. Remove them or move them aside.
• Filters and edits. Never retouch or smooth the photo.
• An old or blurred photo. Take a new one and hold the phone steady.

Fix Your Background Before You Apply

If your wall is not quite plain enough, our passport photo maker can replace the background and crop your photo to the right size. It cannot remove shadows from your face, so retake the photo if you spot any. Run the result through the UK passport photo checker before you submit. Need the exact DVLA size and pixel dimensions? See our UK driving licence photo page. If you also need a passport photo, read how to take a passport photo at home.