Requirements

Main Requirements for NSW Driver’s Licence Photo (35 × 45 mm)

• Photo size & shape

– Exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high, portrait orientation

– No borders; image must fill entire print

• Head dimensions & positioning

– Head (chin to crown) must measure between 32 mm and 36 mm

– Top of the head must sit 3 mm–5 mm below the top edge of the photo

– Face centred horizontally; eyes on a level line

• Background

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

– No patterns, shadows, textures or objects

• Expression & gaze

– Neutral expression, mouth closed (no smiles showing teeth)

– Eyes open, clearly visible; looking straight at the camera

• Clothing & accessories

– No hats, caps or headgear except for approved religious or medical reasons (signed declaration required)

– No sunglasses. Regular glasses must be removed; if essential for medical reasons, frames must not obscure eyes, no tint/reflection

• Hair & face visibility

– Hair must not cover eyes or cast shadows on the face

– No large hair accessories that alter head outline

• Lighting & image quality

– Even, front-facing illumination; no shadows on face or background

– Sharp focus, clear detail, natural skin tones, correct contrast; no over- or under-exposure

• Photo currency

– Taken within the last 6 months and truly representative of current appearance

• Print quality & finish

– High-resolution colour print on quality photo paper

– Matte or semi-gloss finish (avoid high gloss to reduce reflections)

– No creases, smudges, marks or digital artefacts (red-eye, pixelation)

• Additional notes

– Use a professional photo booth or photographer familiar with NSW templates

– If using the official “Photo-Kit,” align head to the kit’s chin- and crown-markers before cutting

– For religious headwear, attach a signed statement confirming your faith requirement

– Infants/toddlers: Ensure no other person or object appears in the frame; keep head straight and unsupported

Following each of these rules precisely will help ensure your NSW Driver’s Licence application photo is accepted on the first submission.

Step-by-Step Process

Content about AU Australia NSW Driver's Licence Photo-kit 35x45 mm Photo Requirements Guide - process

Tips and Best Practices

Here are five practical tips—drawn from NSW Roads & Maritime Services (RMS) official specs—to help you get your 35 × 45 mm NSW driver’s licence photo right the first time. Each tip highlights a common pitfall and exactly how to avoid it.

• Nail the Background and Lighting
• Common mistake: uneven or colored backgrounds, unwanted shadows behind the head or on the shoulders.
• How to avoid it: shoot against a plain, neutral-white (or very light grey) backdrop. Use two soft, diffused light sources at roughly 45° angles to your face—this eliminates shadows on your face and in the background. No textured walls, curtains or patterned sheets!
• Get Your Head Size and Position Dead-On
• Common mistake: head too big or small in frame, or cropped off at the chin or crown.
• How to avoid it: in a 35 × 45 mm frame your head—from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin—must measure 32–36 mm. Leave about 3 mm clearance from the top of your hair to the photo edge. Use a template overlay (many photo-kit apps have one) or a simple ruler to confirm before printing.
• Keep a Neutral Expression and Clear Eyes
• Common mistake: big smiles showing teeth, squinting, hair or hats shadowing the eyes.
• How to avoid it: close your mouth, relax your face muscles and look straight at the camera. Brush hair off your forehead so that both eyebrows and the outline of your ears are fully visible. No hair-droop, no eyewear glare.
• Ditch Glasses, Headgear and Excessive Accessories
• Common mistake: tinted/smoked glasses, thick-rimmed frames, hats or fancy jewelry.
• How to avoid it: remove eyewear—even clear lenses—and any non-religious head covering before shooting. The RMS will reject photos with frame shadows, reflections or anything that obscures your natural skin tone and facial features.
• Use High-Resolution Capture and Proper Print Settings
• Common mistake: low-res smartphone selfies, heavy compression artifacts, glossy prints.
• How to avoid it: shoot at a minimum of 600 dpi, save in an uncompressed JPEG/TIFF format, and print on matte, premium-quality photo paper. Double-check there’s no pixelation around hair strands or edges—any blurring or banding can trigger a rejection.

Action Steps:

1) Set up your lighting and background according to tip #1.

2) Position a ruler or template to verify head size per tip #2.

3) Confirm neutral face and unobstructed eyes before taking the shot.

4) Remove all accessories as outlined in tip #4.

5) Process and print at high resolution (tip #5), then trim exactly to 35 × 45 mm with clean, straight edges.

Follow these five tips and you’ll sidestep the most frequent RMS rejections—saving time, money and frustration. Good luck!

Conclusion

In summary, adhering to the NSW Driver’s Licence Photo-kit 35 × 45 mm requirements will help ensure your application proceeds smoothly: • Size and framing – final print must be exactly 35 mm wide by 45 mm high, with your head (from crown to chin) measuring between 32 mm and 36 mm and vertical head-to-top margins of 2 mm–6 mm. • Background and lighting – use a uniform, light-coloured (preferably white or very pale grey) background; avoid shadows, reflections and over- or under-exposure. • Pose and expression – face the camera directly, with eyes open and mouth closed in a neutral expression; both ears should be visible (unless covered for religious reasons). • Image quality – photos must be in sharp focus, free of blemishes or creases, printed on high-quality photo paper (matte or glossy) and no more than six months old. • Dress and accessories – everyday clothing is fine, but avoid uniforms or headgear (except religious head covering, provided your full face remains visible). By following these precise guidelines for capture, cropping and printing, you’ll minimize the risk of rejection or delay and ensure your NSW licence application moves forward without hitch.