Everything you need to know about NSW driver licence photo requirements for new licence applications, renewals, and photo card applications, including exact dimensions, background colour, pose rules, and how your photo is captured at Service NSW centres.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia (New South Wales) |
| Document Type | Driver Licence / Photo Card |
| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Head Size | 32–36 mm from crown of head to chin |
| Background Color | Plain white, light grey, or light blue |
| Expression | Neutral — no smiling |
| Glasses | Must be removed |
| Head Coverings | Religious/cultural only — full face must be visible |
| Number of Photos | 1 (usually taken at Service NSW centre) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Color | Color only |
The NSW Government requires a passport-style photo for all driver licence and photo card applications. The photo is used in the Facial Recognition System (FRS) to verify your identity. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.
NSW driver licence photos are governed by the NSW Government and are usually taken digitally at a Service NSW centre or motor registry when you apply for, renew, or replace your licence. The photo must meet strict identity photo standards to ensure it works reliably with the Facial Recognition System used by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and Service NSW.
Glasses must be removed for NSW driver licence photos. This ensures the Facial Recognition System can accurately identify your facial features.
You will need to have your photo taken in the following situations:
NSW driver licence photos are typically captured in the following ways:
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant NSW driver licence photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.) is more than capable of taking a licence-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and the camera is set to the highest resolution.
Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you. Selfies tend to have the wrong angle and distortion.
Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows. If using indoor lighting, use multiple light sources from different angles to eliminate shadows.
Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and light-coloured tops that blend with the background. If you wear religious head coverings daily, you may keep them on as long as your full face is visible.
Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes or cast shadows on your face.
Stand about 1.5 metres in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted. Ensure your entire face from chin to forehead is visible.
Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. Do not smile — the NSW Government requires a completely neutral expression for the Facial Recognition System to work accurately.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable driver licence photos
An NSW driver licence photo must be 35×45mm (3.5×4.5cm). Your face must measure between 32mm and 36mm from the crown of your head to your chin. This is the standard Australian passport photo size.
No. You must maintain a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, and raised eyebrows are not permitted. The NSW Government uses a Facial Recognition System (FRS) to verify your identity, and a neutral expression ensures the system works accurately.
The background must be plain white, light grey, or light blue. No patterns, objects, shadows, or other people should be visible. If you don't have a suitable background, our tool will automatically replace it with the correct colour.
No. Glasses must be removed for NSW driver licence photos. This includes prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. Removing glasses ensures the Facial Recognition System can accurately identify your facial features.
NSW driver licence photos are usually taken at a Service NSW centre or motor registry when you apply for, renew, or replace your licence. The photo is captured digitally at the counter — you do not need to bring a printed photo.
Your NSW driver licence photo should be a recent and true likeness of you, generally taken within the last 6 months. The photo should accurately represent your current appearance.
Head coverings are only permitted for religious or cultural reasons. Your full face must be visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, and from ear to ear. The head covering must not cast shadows on your face.
Usually only 1 photo is needed. The photo is taken digitally at the Service NSW centre when you apply for or renew your licence. You do not typically need to bring printed photos with you.
