Common Australia NSW Driver's Licence Photo-kit 35x45 mm Photo Rejection Reasons in AU - Expert Tips

Requirements

• Photo dimensions incorrect: image must be exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high with no added borders or margins
• Head size out of range: head (crown to chin) must measure 32 mm–36 mm in height and be centrally positioned
• Background non-uniform or dark: must be plain light-coloured (white or light grey), free of shadows, patterns and objects
• Facial expression non-neutral: subject must have a natural expression (mouth closed, no smile), eyes open and looking directly at camera
• Eyes or face obstructed: hair, hands or accessories must not cover eyes, forehead, nose or cheeks
• Incorrect eyewear: tinted or mirrored lenses prohibited, frames must be thin, no reflections or flash glare on lenses
• Improper head covering: only permitted for religious reasons, must not cast shadows and full face (chin to forehead and both cheeks) must be visible
• Uneven or harsh lighting: avoid shadows on face or background, ensure even illumination, accurate skin tones and no red-eye
• Poor image quality: photo must be in sharp focus, high resolution, free of pixelation, blurring, noise, scratches, creases or ink marks
• Digital manipulation: no retouching, filters, airbrushing or removal of blemishes, scars or marks; colour balance must be natural
• Outdated appearance: photo must be taken within the last six months and reflect current hairstyle, glasses and facial hair
• Accessories or props visible: remove headphones, headsets, smart-watches or any other items that are not normally worn on ID
• Incorrect print medium: print on high-quality photo paper (matte or semi-matte), no laser-printed or home-inkjet prints, no frames or borders
• Colour balance extremes: avoid overexposure or underexposure, ensure true-to-life colours, no severe contrast or shadows
• File specs not met (digital submission): JPEG format, minimum 600 dpi, file size between 500 KB and 2 MB without compression artifacts

Step-by-Step Process

Content about Common Australia NSW Driver's Licence Photo-kit 35x45 mm Photo Rejection Reasons in AU - process

Tips and Best Practices

• Head size & positioning: ensure your head measures 32–36 mm from chin to crown and is perfectly centered; misaligned or wrongly sized heads fail biometric checks and are rejected
• Neutral expression: keep a straight face, mouth closed, eyes open and looking directly at the camera; smiling or frowning alters facial landmarks and leads to refusal
• Plain background: use a uniform white or light grey backdrop free of shadows, textures or objects; coloured or uneven backgrounds confuse NSW’s automatic validation systems
• No glasses or glare: remove all eyewear or use frameless glasses with anti-reflective coating and adjust lights to eliminate reflections; glare and tinted lenses obscure your eyes and block ID verification
• Even lighting & sharp focus: employ soft, front-facing light to remove shadows, ensure the image is crisp, high resolution and printed on quality photo paper; under-exposed, blurry or grainy photos are commonly refused

Conclusion

In summary, NSW driver’s licence 35 × 45 mm photos are most often rejected for the following reasons:

• Incorrect dimensions or head‐size proportions: photo not exactly 35 × 45 mm or head height outside 32–36 mm range
• Non‐compliant background: coloured, patterned, uneven or shadowed instead of plain light grey/white
• Poor image quality: under/over‐exposed, pixelated, blurred or glossy reflections
• Improper head position or expression: not centered, looking away, tilted, smiling or mouth open
• Obstructed facial features: hair across eyes, heavy makeup, tinted glasses, hats or headwear (unless for religious reasons)
• Outdated or retouched images: older than 6 months, digitally enhanced or containing borders

By strictly adhering to the Photo-kit guidelines—correct sizing, neutral expression, plain background and high print quality—you can avoid the most common pitfalls and ensure your NSW driver’s licence application proceeds smoothly.