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

Requirements

• Photo size: exactly 35 × 45 mm in portrait orientation with no cropping or white borders
• Head size & position: head (crown to chin) must measure 32–36 mm high and be vertically centered with 3–5 mm space from hair top to photo edge
• Background: uniform light grey or white, matte finish, free of shadows, patterns or objects
• Facial expression: neutral face with closed mouth, no smile or frown, eyes open and visible
• Gaze & head alignment: face and eyes directed straight at camera, head neither tilted nor turned
• Glasses: thin-framed prescription glasses allowed if worn daily, no tinted lenses, no glare or reflections, eyes fully visible
• Head coverings: only for religious reasons, must not obscure hairline, forehead or face edges, no shadows on face
• Lighting & contrast: even frontal lighting, no shadows on face or background, natural skin tones, correct exposure
• Image quality: high resolution (≥300 dpi), sharp focus, continuous tone, no pixels, creases or printing defects
• Color reproduction: true-to-life colour with no red-eye, colour casts or filters
• Photo age: taken within the last 6 months, reflecting your current appearance (hairstyle, eyeglasses, facial hair)
• Print medium: on high-quality photographic paper, matte or glossy finish, free of smudges, scratches or watermarks

Step-by-Step Process

Content about EE Estonia driving license 35x45 mm Photo Requirements Guide - process

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact dimensions & head size: use a template or photo tool to crop precisely to 35×45 mm with the head occupying 70–80 % of the photo—incorrect sizing is the top cause of automatic rejections.
• Neutral expression & posture: keep your mouth closed, eyes open, and face centered without tilting—exaggerated expressions or head angles can hamper biometric matching.
• Even, diffused lighting: position soft lights or use a lightbox to eliminate shadows on your face and background—uneven light often triggers manual review and delays.
• Plain, light-grey background: shoot against a smooth, matte backdrop without textures or patterns—background variations clash with Estonia’s photo-scanning software.
• No glare on glasses or hair obstruction: remove tinted or thick-framed eyewear or angle lights to avoid reflections, and tuck hair behind ears—hidden eyes or covered eyebrows lead to instant refusal.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Ensuring your Estonian driving licence photo meets the precise 35 × 45 mm specifications is crucial to avoid application delays. By following the guidelines on size, head positioning, background, lighting, and image quality, you’ll submit a compliant photo the first time.

Key Points Summary

• Dimensions: exactly 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall
• Head size & position: top of hair to chin between 32–36 mm and centered vertically
• Background: uniform light grey or off-white, no patterns or shadows
• Expression & posture: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight ahead
• Accessories & attire: no hats, head coverings (unless for religious reasons) or tinted glasses; prescription glasses allowed if lenses are glare-free
• Image quality: high resolution, sharp focus, natural skin tones, no red-eye or reflections
• Recency & print: photo taken within the last 6 months and printed on high-quality photographic paper

Next Steps

• Review each requirement before scheduling your photo session.
• Use a professional photographer familiar with Estonian ID standards.
• Inspect the final print against this checklist to confirm full compliance before submission.