Requirements

Here are the key requirements for a NSW (Australia) Driver’s Licence photo in 35 × 45 mm format. Follow each point precisely to avoid rejection:

• Photo dimensions

– Final print size must be exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high

– No white border or framing—image must fill entire area

• Head & face positioning

– Head height (top of hair to bottom of chin): 32–36 mm

– Eye line: sits 28–34 mm (approximately 57–69%) down from the top edge

– Face centered both horizontally and vertically

• Background

– Plain, light-coloured (white or very light grey)

– Completely uniform—no shadows, patterns, textures or objects

• Expression & pose

– Neutral expression; lips closed (no grin or frown)

– Mouth closed, eyes fully open and clearly visible

– Looking directly at camera, head straight (not tilted)

– Both edges of face and both shoulders visible

• Lighting & image quality

– Even, diffused light—no shadows across face or background

– No “red-eye,” lens flare or glare

– High resolution (min. 600 dpi when scanned)

– Sharp focus, natural skin tones—no over/under-exposure

• Glasses & eyewear

– Frames must not cover eyes; lenses must be clear (no tinted or reflective)

– No visible glare on lenses—remove or adjust lighting if needed

– Sunglasses or coloured glasses are not permitted

• Head coverings & hair

– Hair away from face; hairline and ears should be clearly visible

– Religious head coverings OK only if they do not obscure your face

– No hats, caps, scarves (unless worn daily for religious reasons and face remains fully visible)

• Clothing & accessories

– Wear everyday attire—no uniforms or camouflage

– Avoid large collars, scarves or accessories that obscure neck/shoulders

– Keep jewellery minimal and not reflective

• Photo currency & source

– Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance

– Printed on high-quality photographic paper (gloss or matte)

– No visible creases, smudges, ink marks or adhesive residue

• Digital-file guidance (if supplying an electronic version)

– JPEG format, minimal compression (no visible artefacts)

– File size between 250 KB and 1 MB, colour mode sRGB

– Exact digital crop to 35 × 45 mm at 300–600 dpi—no further resizing by NSW staff

Action steps:

• Position yourself 1–1.5 m from a plain wall under even lighting.
• Use a tripod or stable surface to avoid camera shake; have someone else take the shot if possible.
• Check all measurements (head size, eye position) using on-screen guides or a ruler on your print.
• Print on quality photo paper or export per the digital-file specs above.
• Inspect for shadows, glare, borders or artefacts before submission.

Adhering to every point will ensure your NSW Driver’s Licence photo is accepted first time—no delays, no retakes.

Step-by-Step Process

Australia’s 35 × 45 mm driver’s licence photograph must meet strict Service NSW specifications to avoid delays or rejections. Follow this step-by-step guide to capture, crop, print and submit a compliant NSW Driver’s Licence photo.

• Gather Your Equipment
• Digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless preferred) or high-quality smartphone camera (minimum 8 MP)
• Tripod or stable surface
• Plain, light-coloured background (white, off-white or light gray)
• Soft, diffused lighting (two lamps with daylight bulbs or a ring light)
• Measurement template or printed cropping guide (you can download an official 35 × 45 mm overlay from Service NSW)
• Photo-quality inkjet or laser printer and matte/fiber-based photographic paper (minimum 300 dpi)
• Scissors or guillotine cutter with millimeter scale
• Prepare the Shooting Environment
• Position your background at least 1 m behind the subject to prevent shadows.
• Set up two lights at 45° angles, about 1 m from the subject’s face, to eliminate shadows and provide even illumination.
• Ensure no glare spots—especially if the subject wears glasses.
• Camera Settings & Framing
• Resolution: at least 300 dpi (ideally 8 MP or higher).
• Aspect ratio: set camera to 3:4 (or crop later).
• ISO: 100–200 to reduce grain.
• Aperture: f/5.6–f/8 for sharpness across the face.
• White balance: “Daylight” or custom-calibrated to background.
• Focus: autofocus on the subject’s eyes.
• Subject Positioning & Expression
• Distance: position camera 1.2–1.5 m from subject.
• Head: centered, looking straight at lens; shoulders squared.
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed, no grin.
• Eyes: fully open, level and clearly visible.
• Hair: pulled off face and eyes; no hair across forehead.
• Background & Attire
• Background: plain, uniform, no patterns or textures.
• Clothing: everyday attire—avoid uniforms or camouflage patterns.
• Glasses: allowed only if normally worn; lenses must be clear (no tinted/reflective glare). Remove thick-framed glasses.
• Headwear: only for medical/religious reasons; must not obscure hairline or cast shadows on face.

6. Capture the Image

• Take multiple shots to ensure at least one perfectly lit, in-focus frame.
• Check for shadows under chin, behind ears, or hotspots on forehead.
• Verify no red-eye, reflections in glasses or background wrinkles.

7. Crop to 35 × 45 mm with Head-Sizing Guidelines

Using photo-editing software or the printed template:

• Final image size: 35 mm wide × 45 mm high.
• Head height (top of hair to bottom of chin): 32–36 mm (approximately 70–80% of photo height).
• Eye line: 13–18 mm down from the top edge of the photo.
• Center the face horizontally; leave equal margins on left and right.

8. Print Your Photos

• Printer resolution: 300 dpi or higher.
• Paper: matte or fiber-based professional photo paper.
• Print at actual size (no “fit to page” or scaling).
• Produce two identical copies (Service NSW requires two prints).

9. Quality Check

• Measure with a ruler or template to confirm 35 × 45 mm dimensions.
• Verify head and eye measurements.
• Inspect for dust, scratches or color casts.
• Photos must be less than 6 months old.

10. Submission to Service NSW

• Attach photographs to your licence application form where indicated.
• Do not staple through the face area. Use paper clips or photo tabs if needed.
• Keep a third copy for your records.

Common Pitfalls & Tips

– Shadows on background: increase subject-background distance or soften lighting.

– Overexposed/underexposed skin: adjust exposure or white balance.

– Blurred features: use a tripod and remote shutter release or timer.

– Incorrect head size: re-crop using official 35 × 45 mm template.

By following these steps precisely, you’ll produce NSW driver’s licence photos that pass Service NSW quality checks the first time—avoiding wasted trips, extra fees and application delays. Good luck with your licence renewal or application!

Tips and Best Practices

Here are five of the most common pitfalls NSW applicants encounter when shooting or submitting their 35 × 45 mm driver’s licence photos—and exactly how to avoid them.

• Incorrect cropping & head-size placement
• NSW specification: final print must be 35 mm wide × 45 mm high.
• Head (top of hair to chin) must measure 33–36 mm; eye line 13–18 mm down from top edge.
• Mistake to avoid: auto-cropping tools that leave borders or slightly off-centre heads.
• Quick fix: use a template or guide overlay in your camera app or photo-editing software. Confirm dimensions with a ruler or on-screen measurement tool before printing.
• Poor background & shadows
• NSW requires a plain, light-grey or white background, evenly lit with no shadows, patterns or textures.
• Common error: wrinkles in backdrop or uneven side-lighting casting shadows on the face or background.
• How to prevent it: position one soft light on either side of the subject at roughly 45° angles, and a third light above or behind to eliminate background shadows. Smooth out your backdrop fabric or use a rigid board.
• Glare, reflections & eyewear issues
• Even clear lenses can produce glare; tinted or heavily framed glasses aren’t permitted.
• Frequent blunder: subject wears spectacles “just for the picture” and ends up with reflections that hide the eyes.
• Rule of thumb: remove glasses. If removal isn’t possible for medical reasons, have the subject tilt their head slightly down, increase lighting from above, and photograph straight-on to minimise reflections. Get a doctor’s certificate if glasses must stay on.
• Expression, posture & hair obstructions
• NSW mandates a neutral expression with closed mouth (no teeth showing), eyes open, looking straight at the camera. Shoulders square.
• Mistake: subject smiles, tilts head, or hair falls over one eye—any asymmetry can trigger rejection.
• Pro tip: use a marked floor-spot so the subject faces exactly forward. Clip hair back behind the ears. Coach them to relax their jaw and look at the lens—imagine a neutral “passport face.”
• Low resolution, poor print quality & borders
• Digital file: minimum 600 dpi (approx. 701 × 901 px for 35 × 45 mm).
• Printing: must be on high-gloss or semi-matte photographic paper—no ink-jet printouts on standard office paper. Absolutely no visible borders (white or otherwise).
• Avoid: taking a phone photo of a printed photo, scanning a low-quality print, or adding digital filters. Always export at full resolution, send directly to a professional photolab, or use an official NSW Photo-Kit that guarantees lab-quality prints.

By following these five checkpoints—exact crop and head placement, flawless background lighting, glare-free eyewear handling, strict expression/hair control, and professional-grade output—you’ll sidestep the top reasons for NSW driver’s licence photo rejections. Good luck!

Conclusion

In summary, getting your NSW Driver’s Licence photo right comes down to five must-have elements: 1. Exact Dimensions & Framing • Print-ready or digital image sized to 35 × 45 mm • Head height (chin to crown) between 32–36 mm, with roughly 5 mm of space above the hairline 2. Neutral, Unobstructed Portrait • Face square to camera, eyes open and looking straight ahead, mouth closed • No sunglasses or tinted lenses; clear prescription glasses are permitted if there is no glare or frame-occlusion 3. Plain, Even Background • Smooth white or very light grey, free of shadows, textures and objects • Uniform lighting on face and backdrop to avoid hotspots and dark areas 4. High Image Quality • Sharp focus, correct exposure and natural skin tones; no red-eye, noise or over-editing • Printed on quality photo paper at 600 dpi (or supplied as a high-resolution JPEG if uploading digitally) 5. Compliance & Consistency • Avoid hats, scarves or uniform clothing (unless for genuine religious reasons) • Ensure the final print or digital file matches the NSW Licensing Authority’s sample layout exactly By following these five core principles—precise sizing, a neutral yet clear head-and-shoulders shot, an uncluttered background, professional image quality and strict adherence to the Authority’s layout—you’ll minimise the risk of rejection and keep your driver’s licence application on track.