Requirements

Here are the official 4 × 5 cm photo specifications for an Albanian driving licence. Follow each point exactly to avoid delays or rejections:

• Dimensions & format

– Final print size: 40 mm wide × 50 mm high (4 × 5 cm)

– Orientation: portrait (vertical)

– Print only on high-quality, non-gloss (matte) photographic paper

– No border or frame around the image

• Background & lighting

– Uniform light-grey or plain white background

– No shadows, patterns or objects visible behind the head

– Even, front-facing illumination to avoid facial shadows and reflections

• Head position & framing

– Head centered, full-face view, looking straight at the camera

– Eyes level with the horizontal mid-line of the photo

– Distance from crown of hair to top edge: ~5 mm

– Distance from chin to bottom edge: ~5 mm

– Head height (crown-to-chin) should occupy 70–80% of the photo’s height (~35–40 mm)

• Facial expression & appearance

– Neutral expression, mouth closed, no smile or frown

– Both eyes fully open and clearly visible

– Natural skin tone, no red-eye, no heavy retouching

• Glasses & eyewear

– If worn daily: thin-framed, clear prescription glasses only

– No tinted or dark-lens glasses; no glare or reflection on lenses

– Eyes must be fully visible (no hair or frames obscuring them)

• Head coverings

– Not permitted except for documented religious reasons

– If worn: must not cover hairline, forehead or cast shadows on face

– Provide a written statement or certificate confirming religious grounds

• Clothing & accessories

– Normal daily attire; avoid uniforms, camouflage or corporate wear

– No large earrings, necklaces or headsets

– Hair off the face—tie back long hair so ears and hairline are visible

• Photo age & quality

– Taken within the last 6 months

– Sharp focus and high resolution; no pixelation or scanning artifacts

– No ink marks, creases, scratches or discoloration

• Submission notes

– Submit two identical prints, or one print plus one digital file if requested

– Digital file (when required): JPEG, minimum 600 × 750 pixels, 300 dpi

– Print the digital file at 100% scale—do not enlarge or reduce

Following these guidelines exactly will ensure your photo meets the Albanian driving-licence office’s standards and help you avoid unnecessary delays.

Step-by-Step Process

Content about AL Albania driving licence 4x5 cm Photo Requirements Guide - process

Tips and Best Practices

Here are five practical tips—along with the most common pitfalls—to help you get your Albanian driving-licence photo (4 × 5 cm) right the first time:

• Exactly 4 × 5 cm with proper head-size and position
• Tip: Print or crop your photo to precisely 40 mm wide × 50 mm high. Use a ruler or a template in your imaging software.
• Common mistake: Trimming to 4 × 6 cm (the passport standard) or freehand cropping. Even a few millimetres off can lead to outright rejection.
• Head dimension: 32–36 mm from chin to crown
• Tip: Position the top of your hair about 4 mm from the top edge and your chin about 10 mm from the bottom edge of the frame. This ensures your face occupies 70–80% of the image.
• Common mistake: Submitting photos where the head is too small (you look tiny) or too large (cropped ears or chin), which fails biometric-readiness checks.
• Pure white, shadow-free background
• Tip: Stand 1–1.5 m away from a plain white wall; use two lights at 45° angles to eliminate shadows. If you see any greyish or uneven patches, retake.
• Common mistake: Using off-white walls, patterned backgrounds or natural window light that casts shadows—authorities reject any background that isn’t uniformly bright white.
• Neutral expression, straight gaze, eyes fully visible
• Tip: Keep your mouth closed, lips relaxed, and eyes open and level with the camera. Frame your shoulders square to the lens—no tilting or turning.
• Common mistake: Smiling too broadly, tilting the head, or looking off-axis. Even a slight head turn can cause automated-system failures.
• No reflections, tinted glasses or head-cover obstructions
• Tip: If you wear prescription glasses, remove tinted lenses and tilt frames slightly downward (or remove them entirely) to avoid glare. If you must wear religious headgear, ensure it doesn’t cast shadows on your face or cover your hairline.
• Common mistake: Submitting photos with glare across the eyes, thick frames hiding eyebrow contours, or hats/headscarves that obscure the face. These are top reasons for instant rejections.

Bonus reminder: Use a recent photo (taken within the last 6 months), print on high-quality photo paper (minimum 600 dpi), and double-check measurements with a transparent ID-photo ruler before you hand it in. Following these tips will minimize the risk of delays or re-shots—and get you on the road faster.

Conclusion

In summary, your Albanian driving-licence photo must be a 4 × 5 cm, full-color portrait on a plain white background, printed on high-quality glossy photo paper. The applicant’s head (including hair) should occupy roughly 70–80 % of the frame, be perfectly centered, and show a neutral expression with mouth closed and eyes clearly visible. Avoid shadows, reflections or overexposure by using even, front-facing light; remove glasses (unless medically required without tinted lenses) and any non-essential headwear (religious head coverings are permitted but must not obscure the face). Ensure the image is sharp, unretouched, taken within the last six months, and free of borders, creases or marks. Adhering precisely to these dimensions and standards will help you avoid processing delays or rejections, ensuring a smooth application for your Albanian driving licence.