How to Resize Photo for UK Driving License

Resize your photo to the correct DVLA specification for a UK driving licence application — free.

Applying for a UK driving licence (photocard) or renewing an existing one requires a photo that meets the DVLA's strict specifications. Getting this right first time prevents application delays and rejections. At imgresizr.com, you can resize and prepare your driving licence photo to DVLA specifications, completely free.

DVLA Photo Specifications

RequirementSpecification
Physical size35mm wide × 45mm tall
Digital file size50KB–5MB
FormatJPG
BackgroundPlain cream or light grey
Head size29–34mm from chin to top of head

How to Resize Photos for UK Driving Licence

Upload your photo to imgresizr.com. The DVLA requires a 35×45mm photo — the same size as a standard UK passport photo. Use the Crop tool to set a 7:9 ratio (35:45 simplified), centering your face with neutral expression, eyes open and clearly visible, and no glasses. Use the Background Colour tool if your background is not already plain cream or light grey. At 600dpi for print, the digital dimensions should be approximately 827×1063px. For online application submissions (gov.uk), the DVLA accepts JPG files between 50KB and 5MB. Use the Compress tool to hit this range. The photo must have been taken within the last month and you must look the same as your current appearance.

DVLA Photo Requirements Checklist

  • Face clearly visible, facing forward
  • Neutral expression — neither smiling broadly nor frowning
  • Eyes open, clearly visible — remove glasses
  • Plain, light background — no patterns or gradients
  • No shadows on face or background
  • Photo taken within the last month

Resize your photo to DVLA UK driving licence specifications, free at imgresizr.com.