EE Estonia driving license 35x45 mm Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo size: exactly 35 × 45 mm printed on high-quality, matte or glossy photo paper
• Head size & placement: head height 32–36 mm filling 70–80% of frame with eye line 19–24 mm from top edge
• Pose & expression: straight-on view, neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, no tilt or turn
• Background: uniform light grey or white background, free of shadows, textures or objects
• Lighting & contrast: even frontal lighting, no reflections, glare or harsh shadows on face or background
• Eyewear: clear prescription glasses allowed if frames thin and lenses glare-free; no tinted or sunglasses
• Head coverings: not permitted except for strict religious reasons; full face from chin to forehead and both sides must be visible
• Photo age: taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance
• Image quality: sharp focus, high resolution, no red-eye, no digital enhancements, prints free of creases or marks
• Digital submission (if required): JPEG format, 300 dpi, exact 35 × 45 mm dimensions, max file size 1 MB

Step-by-Step Process

• Prepare your equipment and environment: ensure you have a high-resolution digital camera (minimum 8 MP) or a modern smartphone, a tripod or stable surface, and a plain white or light gray backdrop; clear the area of clutter to avoid unwanted shadows and distractions.
• Set up background and lighting: position your backdrop at least 1 m from the subject to eliminate background shadows; use two soft light sources at 45° angles to the face to ensure even illumination; why: this prevents harsh shadows and highlights, ensuring a uniformly lit background and accurate skin tones.
• Position the subject and camera: have the subject stand 5–2 m from the camera, eyes at the same height as the lens; ask them to look straight ahead with a neutral expression (mouth closed, eyes open, no smile), hair away from the face, and shoulders square; why: full-face visibility and neutral expression are mandatory for machine-readable driving-license photos.
• Capture the image with correct framing: fill the frame so the head (from chin to top of hair) measures roughly 28–33 mm on screen; leave a small margin above the head and between shoulders; verify no part of the hair or shoulders is cut off; why: this ensures the final 35 × 45 mm print will meet Estonia’s head-size and margin requirements.
• Edit and crop to 35 × 45 mm: import the photo into editing software, set canvas size to 35 × 45 mm at 300 dpi, and position the face so the eye line sits at 60–65% of the image height (27–29 mm from the bottom); do not apply filters, retouching, or color adjustments beyond basic white-balance and exposure correction; why: precise cropping and minimal editing preserve biometric integrity.
• Print on high-quality photo paper: use professional inkjet or laser printers with photo-grade matte or semi-gloss paper; select “actual size” or “100% scale” printing at 300 dpi with no borders; output two identical copies in case of loss or additional review.
• Inspect and finalize: check the printed photo under daylight or neutral artificial light to confirm accurate colors, clear details (no grain or pixelation), correct dimensions (use a ruler), and absence of shadows or reflections; if any issue is detected, repeat capture and printing steps.
• Submit with your application: attach one photo to your driving-license application form and include the spare copy; store any digital files securely in case you need to reprint or for future renewals.

Tips and Best Practices

• Size & Crop Precision: Always crop to exactly 35×45 mm with head height 32–36 mm and top margin 3 mm to satisfy Estonia’s strict size requirements and avoid instant rejection
• Head Position & Centering: Align eyes 20–30 mm from the photo top and keep your face perfectly centered to prevent misalignment errors during automated scanning
• Uniform Background & Lighting: Use a plain light gray or white background with even, shadow-free lighting to make your face stand out clearly for both machine and human reviewers
• Neutral Expression & Eye Visibility: Maintain a relaxed closed-mouth expression with eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera to meet biometric standards and avoid retakes
• Glasses & Reflections Avoidance: Remove tinted lenses or adjust clear frames to eliminate glare and reflections that can obscure your eyes and lead to photo disqualification

Conclusion

In summary, Estonia’s 35 × 45 mm driving-license photo must meet precise standards to ensure acceptance on first submission. By adhering to the size, composition, and quality rules you’ll avoid costly delays or rejections.

Key Points:

• Photo size: 35 × 45 mm, with head height 32–36 mm and top margin 3–5 mm
• Background: uniform light gray or white, free of shadows and patterns
• Pose & expression: full face centered, neutral expression, eyes open and mouth closed
• Lighting & image quality: even lighting, sharp focus, natural skin tones, no red-eye or reflections
• Glasses & headwear: thin-framed clear lenses allowed (no glare), religious head coverings permitted if facial features remain fully visible
• Recency & print: taken within last 6 months, printed on high-quality paper (glossy or matte), no creases or digital artifacts

Follow these guidelines precisely to secure a seamless driving-license application in Estonia.