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

Requirements

• Incorrect dimensions: Image not exactly 35×45 mm (4×75 inch) or wrong aspect ratio causing automatic cropping
• Improper head placement: Head not centred with 4–6 mm top margin or occupying less than 70–80 % of photo height
• Wrong background colour: Use of coloured, patterned or non-uniform backdrops instead of plain white/off-white
• Blurry or pixelated image: Low resolution (<600 dpi) or out-of-focus photo obscuring facial details
• Poor lighting and shadows: Harsh shadows on face/background or uneven illumination distorting features
• Glasses glare or tinted lenses: Reflection on lenses or dark glasses obscuring eyes; only clear, non-reflective frames allowed
• Face obstructed by hair/headgear: Hair covering eyebrows/face or unauthorised hats/scarves (religious headgear allowed if features remain visible)
• Non-neutral expression: Smiling with teeth, open mouth or raised eyebrows instead of a natural, relaxed expression
• Photo older than 6 months: Outdated image not reflecting current appearance leading to potential misidentification
• Poor print quality: Scratches, smudges, ink spots, creases or faded colours from low-quality printing
• Inappropriate attire: Wearing uniforms, camouflage or outfits matching the background reducing subject contrast

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Identify common photo rejection reasons for the 35x45 mm Indian driving licence format
• Incorrect dimensions: image is not exactly 35x45 mm (4x75 in) within ±2% tolerance
• Wrong background: non-uniform, colored or patterned instead of plain white or light gray
• Improper head size or position: head too large/small or not centered, covering less than 70% of photo height
• Shadows and reflections: visible shadows behind head or on background, glare on face or glasses
• Poor lighting and contrast: underexposed, overexposed or uneven lighting causing loss of facial detail
• Facial expression and posture: non-neutral expression, open mouth, tilted head or slouched shoulders
• Eyewear issues: tinted lenses, heavy frames obscuring eyes, reflections on glasses
• Image quality: low resolution (<300 dpi), visible pixels, noise, blurriness or ink marks
• Improper cropping/margin: photo trimmed too close to hair or chin, no 2–5 mm white border around edges
• Attire violations: hats, headgear (unless religious), uniforms or accessories covering hairline or ears
• Second step: What to do and why to ensure approval
• Measure and crop precisely: use digital editing tools or professional studio to set 35x45 mm with ±2% accuracy to meet RTO scanners’ requirements
• Use plain background: photograph against a smooth white or very light gray wall to avoid distractions and automatic rejection
• Center and scale the head: position head so it occupies 70–80% of photo height and is horizontally and vertically centered for clear facial recognition
• Optimize lighting: use soft, diffused front lighting to eliminate shadows and evenly illuminate facial features for accurate identification
• Maintain neutral expression: keep mouth closed, eyes open, and head straight to comply with Indian Motor Vehicle Department guidelines
• Remove eyewear glare: if wearing glasses, adjust tilt or remove heavy-framed/tinted glasses to prevent reflections and ensure unobstructed eye visibility
• Ensure high resolution: capture and print at ≥300 dpi on matte or semi-gloss photo paper to avoid graininess and enhance clarity
• Leave proper margins: include a 2–5 mm white border when printing or scanning so cropping errors don’t remove essential facial details
• Follow attire rules: avoid hats or head coverings (unless for religious reasons) and ensure ears and hairline are fully visible per RTO norms
• Use accredited service: if uncertain, visit an RTO-approved photo studio familiar with driving licence specifications to guarantee first-time acceptance

Tips and Best Practices

• Background uniformity: Use a plain white, matte backdrop with no patterns, gradients or shadows to ensure your face stands out—non-uniform backgrounds are the top cause of automatic rejections.
• Head size & positioning: Frame your head at 70–80% of the 35×45 mm photo, centered with eyes 28–35 mm from the bottom—misaligned heads trigger cropping failures.
• Lighting & shadows: Illuminate evenly from both sides to avoid harsh shadows or overexposed spots on your face—poor lighting can obscure features and lead to rejection.
• Glasses & headgear compliance: Remove tinted or reflective glasses and ensure any head covering is plain, allows full facial visibility and is worn for religious reasons only—unauthorized accessories void acceptance.
• Photo quality & recency: Submit a sharp, high-resolution print on professional photo paper taken within the last six months—blurry, pixelated or outdated images will be refused.

Conclusion

In summary, ensuring your 35×45 mm (1.4×1.75 inch) India driving-licence photo meets all requirements is the fastest way to avoid delays or rejections. Most common rejection reasons fall into these categories:

• Incorrect dimensions: photo not exactly 35×45 mm or head size out of specified 70–80 % frame height
• Background errors: non-uniform, patterned, colored, or shadowed backdrops instead of plain light-coloured background
• Head position & expression: tilted head, off-centre framing, non-neutral expression or open mouth
• Lighting & quality: under- or over-exposed images, shadows on face or background, low resolution or visible pixels
• Accessories & coverings: glare from eyeglasses, tinted lenses, hats or scarves obscuring facial features (unless for religious reasons)
• Outdated or altered photos: older than six months, digitally retouched, or printed on wrong paper type

By double-checking each of these points before submission—dimensions, background, lighting, head and expression, and accessory rules—you’ll dramatically reduce the chance of your licence photo being rejected.