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

Requirements

• Incorrect dimensions: photo not exactly 35 × 45 mm (±1 mm tolerance) will be rejected
• Head size out of range: crown-to-chin height must be 25–35 mm otherwise photo fails sizing criteria
• Background non-compliant: any colored, patterned, shaded or cluttered backdrop instead of plain white/off-white leads to rejection
• Poor image quality: blurred, pixelated or low-resolution images that obscure facial features are unacceptable
• Exposure issues: overexposed (washed out) or underexposed (too dark) photos that hide facial details will be refused
• Shadows or reflections: any shadow across the face or background, and reflections from glasses or shiny surfaces cause rejection
• Off-centre or tilted head: head must be square to camera, centered and not tilted more than 5° otherwise photo is invalid
• Incorrect expression or closed eyes: only neutral expression with mouth closed and both eyes open is accepted
• Obstructed face by hair or accessories: hair, masks, scarves or hats covering forehead, eyes or cheeks (unless for verified religious reasons) are disallowed
• Eyewear violations: tinted lenses, heavy frames or visible glare on prescription glasses will result in rejection (clear, glare-free lenses only)
• Outdated photo: images older than 6 months that no longer reflect current appearance are not permitted
• Watermarks, borders or damage: any stamps, logos, frames, creases or lamination marks on the photo render it unacceptable

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Detailed explanation of common rejection reasons
• Dimension mismatch: Photo must be exactly 35×45 mm (4×75 in); even a 1 mm variance triggers rejection
• Head size/position error: Head height must occupy 70–80% of frame (≈32–36 mm) with eyes 13–18 mm from bottom edge
• Background issues: Must be plain white or off-white without shadows, patterns, gradients or objects
• Lighting and exposure faults: Over-/under-exposed areas, strong shadows on face or background, uneven lighting leads to auto-rejection
• Facial expression and posture: Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, direct gaze, no head tilt or turning
• Glasses and headgear violations: No tinted or thick-rimmed glasses, no glare; head coverings only for religious reasons and must not obscure hairline or face
• Print quality shortcomings: Blurred, pixelated, scratched or poorly printed images are refused—minimum 600 dpi resolution and smooth tonal gradation required
• File format/size non-compliance: JPEG only, uncompressed or minimally compressed; file size must fall between 10 KB and 200 KB
• Age of photo: Photos older than six months are invalid due to appearance changes
• Retouching and filters: Excessive editing, color shifts, blemish removal or beauty enhancements will result in rejection
• Second step: What to do and why
• Measure precisely and crop to 35×45 mm: Why – Licensing systems use fixed-size templates; off-size photos misalign face frame
• Position head correctly (32–36 mm height, eyes at 13–18 mm): Why – Uniform head proportions ensure iris detection and facial recognition accuracy
• Use a plain white background with diffused lighting: Why – Eliminates background shadows and contrast issues that confuse auto-crop software
• Maintain neutral expression and direct gaze: Why – Facial recognition algorithms require unobstructed, neutral features for matching
• Remove all non-permitted accessories: Why – Glasses glare and headgear edges block biometric keypoints
• Print or scan at 600 dpi on matte finish paper: Why – Ensures sharpness, tonal smoothness and scanner readability
• Save as high-quality JPEG within 10–200 KB: Why – Prevents upload errors and maintains required image fidelity
• Verify photo age (≤6 months): Why – Reflects current appearance and avoids identity mismatch
• Avoid over-editing or filters: Why – Preserves true skin tones and natural face geometry for biometric checks
• Conduct a final checklist review: Why – Cross-verifying each criterion minimizes resubmission and processing delays

Tips and Best Practices

• Plain background: use a uniform light-colored backdrop with no patterns or gradients to ensure clear contrast for biometric scanning and prevent template‐matching errors
• Precise framing: center the head so it occupies 70–80% of the 35×45 mm frame, meeting ICAO‐inspired size rules and avoiding automatic crop rejections
• No shadows or reflections: employ diffused, even lighting to eliminate facial or background shadows, ensuring all features are visible and accepted by manual or digital checks
• Glasses and headgear rules: remove tinted lenses, hats, scarves or hair over the face and adjust clear spectacles to avoid glare, guaranteeing unobstructed eyes for identity verification
• High image clarity: supply a sharp, high‐resolution scan (minimum 600 dpi) or print to maintain accurate color and detail, avoiding blurriness or pixelation rejections

Conclusion

In summary, Indian driving licence photos sized 35×45 mm (1.4×1.75 inch) are most commonly rejected for the following reasons:

• Incorrect dimensions: Photo must be exactly 35×45 mm (4×75 inch)
• Non-uniform background: Background must be plain white or off-white with no shadows
• Poor lighting and shadows: Uneven illumination or shadows on face/background lead to rejection
• Head position and expression: Face must be centered, looking straight with a neutral expression and closed mouth
• Glasses glare and covers: No reflections on lenses; tinted or thick-framed glasses prohibited
• Excessive retouching: Digital enhancements, filters, or date stamps are not allowed
• Head coverings: Permitted only for religious reasons and must not obscure facial features

By verifying dimensions, background, lighting, posture, and image quality before submission, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure your application proceeds smoothly.