Common India driving licence 35x45 mm (1.4x1.75 inch) Photo Rejection Reasons in IN - Expert Tips

Requirements

• Incorrect dimensions: photo must be exactly 35 mm × 45 mm (4 × 75 in), rejects occur if size deviates by more than ±2 mm
• Improper head size/position: head height must occupy 70–80% of image, centered vertically and horizontally with 3–5 mm clearance above hair
• Non-white or uneven background: background must be plain, bright white without shadows, patterns, gradients or objects
• Poor lighting/exposure: face must be evenly lit with no dark shadows or overexposed highlights obscuring features
• Glasses glare or tinted lenses: no reflections, glare or tinted/colored lenses; frames must not cover eyes
• Unnatural facial expression: mouth closed, neutral expression, eyes open and visible—no smiling, frowning or exaggerated expressions
• Head covering or hair obstruction: only religious coverings allowed; must not cast shadows or obscure hairline, forehead and ears fully visible
• Blurry, pixelated or low-resolution image: photo must be sharp with clear details (minimum 600 dpi scan or high-quality print)
• Red-eye or color casts: any red-eye, color tints or unnatural skin tones will lead to rejection
• Borders, stamps or markings on face: no border lines, ink marks, stamps or watermarks over face—official RTO seal only if specified separately
• Digital manipulation or retouching: no airbrushing, filters or photo-editing that alters natural appearance of face or background
• Improper attire or accessories: no uniforms, camouflage, hats, scarves (unless religious), headphones or visible jewelry that distracts from face
• Damaged, scratched or creased prints: physical defects like folds, creases, tears, smudges or paper peeling will result in rejection
• Wrong paper or print type: must be on professional photo paper (matte or glossy) – rejects if on plain office paper, laser-printed or low-quality inkjet prints

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: detailed explanation of common rejection reasons
• Incorrect dimensions: photo must be exactly 35 × 45 mm (4 × 75 inches), any deviation leads to auto-reject
• Resolution issues: image must be ≥600 dpi; low-resolution photos appear pixelated and fail quality checks
• Background non-compliance: backdrop must be plain white or off-white with no patterns, gradients or shadows
• Lighting and shadows: uneven illumination or visible shadows on face and background triggers rejection
• Face-to-frame ratio errors: head (top of hair to chin) must occupy 70–80% of the vertical frame; too small or too large is invalid
• Off-center or tilted head: subject’s eyes must be horizontal and centered within the eye line zone (28–35 mm from bottom)
• Expression violations: only neutral expression is allowed; smiling, frowning or open mouth is refused
• Eyewear and glare: tinted or reflective lenses and glare obstructing eyes will be disqualified
• Hair and accessories: hair, headwear or accessories that obscure the face or cast shadows are not permitted (except for religious headgear, if face is fully visible)
• Photo age: images older than six months may not reflect current appearance and are rejected
• Print and scan defects: ink stains, creases, scratches, holes or scanner artifacts compromise clarity and fail standards
• Second step: what to do and why
• Verify dimensions with a calibrated photo template or professional passport-photo kiosk to guarantee 35 × 45 mm compliance and avoid auto-reject
• Capture images at ≥600 dpi using a DSLR or certified passport-photo booth to ensure crisp facial details and pass resolution checks
• Use a solid white/off-white backdrop and position subject 5 m away with two diffused light sources at 45° angles to eliminate patterns and shadows
• Frame the subject so the head fills 70–80% of the height, measure from top of hair to chin; correct sizing prevents cropping errors in automated systems
• Center the eyes on the horizontal eye-line zone (28–35 mm from bottom of photo) and keep the head straight; proper alignment meets biometric enrollment requirements
• Instruct the subject to maintain a neutral expression with mouth closed and eyes open; neutral expressions are required for facial-recognition accuracy
• Remove glasses or adjust them to eliminate glare; if eyewear is necessary, use anti-reflective lenses and confirm eyes are clearly visible
• Secure hair behind ears and avoid accessories that touch or shadow the face to ensure full facial visibility for biometric matching
• Submit a recent photo taken within the last six months to reflect current appearance and prevent identity verification delays
• Print on high-quality, smooth, matte or glossy photographic paper without any marks, creases or scanning artifacts to satisfy print-quality standards

Tips and Best Practices

• Incorrect dimensions: ensure your photo is exactly 35×45 mm with the head height between 25–35 mm and 70–80% of frame – wrong sizing leads to automatic rejection. Always use a precise ID-photo template or professional camera settings to get pixel-perfect dimensions.
• Non-uniform background: Indian RTOs require a clean, plain white or light-grey backdrop – shadows, patterns or colored walls cause rejections. Stand at least 1 m from the wall and use soft, diffused lighting to eliminate shadows and ensure uniformity.
• Poor head position and expression: tilting your head or smiling broadly violates the neutral-face rule and can obscure facial features. Keep your face square to the camera, eyes open, mouth closed and maintain a neutral expression to comply with biometric standards.
• Glare, shadows or reflections: harsh direct light or camera flash on eyeglasses creates glare that hides your eyes and triggers disqualification. Remove glasses or use anti-reflective lenses; employ balanced, indirect lighting to avoid any facial or background shadows.
• Inappropriate attire and accessories: wearing hats, scarves or tinted glasses that cover hairlines or ears leads to non-compliance. Remove all headgear (unless for religious reasons), keep hair off the face, ears visible and avoid bulky jewellery to match RTO guidelines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, India’s RTOs routinely reject 35×45 mm (1.4×1.75 inch) driving licence photos when they don’t meet the precise visual and technical standards. Ensuring strict adherence to size, framing, and image quality is vital to avoid application delays.

Common rejection reasons:

• Incorrect dimensions: photo not exactly 35×45 mm
• Improper head size or placement: face too small/large or off-centre
• Non-uniform background: shadows, patterns or colours other than plain white/light grey
• Poor lighting or contrast: overexposure, underexposure, harsh shadows
• Blurry or pixelated images: lack of sharpness or visible digital artifacts
• Unnatural facial expression or head tilt: non-neutral expression, angled head
• Unauthorized accessories: hats, sunglasses or tinted eyeglasses
• Incorrect file format or resolution: below 600×600 pixels or wrong DPI

By double-checking dimensions, background, lighting and framing—and using a professional or certified photo booth—you’ll maximize your chances of a one-time approval and a hassle-free licence issuance.