RU Russia driving license 21x30 mm Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Dimensions: photo must measure exactly 21 × 30 mm (width 21 mm, height 30 mm)
• Orientation: portrait format with the long side vertical
• Age of photo: taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
• Head size: chin-to-crown height must occupy 70–80% of photo height (≈21–24 mm)
• Eye position: eyes should sit at 50–60% of the distance from the bottom edge of the photo
• Background: plain, uniform light color (white or very light gray) with no shadows, patterns or objects
• Facial expression: neutral with closed mouth, natural look, no smile, no frown, teeth not showing
• Head position: full face toward camera, no tilt or turn, head centered in frame
• Attire: everyday clothing only; no hats, head coverings or large accessories (religious headwear allowed if face line is fully visible)
• Eyewear: clear lenses only; no tinted or dark glasses; frames must not cover eye area; no glare or reflection
• Photo quality: printed on high-quality matte or glossy photo paper at ≥300 dpi, free of creases, scratches, ink marks or digital artifacts
• Borders and corners: no visible borders, frames, watermarks or stamps; clean square corners without rounding

Step-by-Step Process

Content about RU Russia driving license 21x30 mm Photo Requirements Guide - process

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact Dimensions: use precision tools or templates to crop your photo to the mandated 21 × 30 mm, because even a 1 mm variation will trigger immediate rejection by Russian authorities
• Head Positioning: center your face so the jawline touches the bottom edge and the crown sits 2–3 mm below the top, because misaligned or off-center heads are a top cause of photo refusals
• Expression & Eye Contact: maintain a neutral, closed-mouth expression with eyes fully open and looking straight ahead, because any smile, frown, or tilted gaze violates official norms
• Lighting & Background: shoot against a smooth white or light-grey backdrop under soft, even lighting to eliminate shadows and glare, because uneven illumination or busy backgrounds lead to automatic non-acceptance
• Accessories & Glare Control: remove tinted glasses, hats, headphones and ensure clear-lens glasses are glare-free, because any facial obstruction or reflection will result in photo disqualification

Conclusion

In summary, obtaining a compliant 21 × 30 mm photo for a Russian driving licence hinges on precise size, clear facial visibility, and strict adherence to technical standards. Follow these core requirements to ensure your application is accepted without delay.

• Photo dimensions: exactly 21 × 30 mm, portrait orientation, no borders
• Head positioning: face centered, head height ~70–80% of photo, eyes 2/3 from bottom
• Expression & pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, direct gaze
• Background & lighting: plain light (white or off-white) background, even lighting, no shadows
• Appearance: no hats or headwear (except approved religious items), ears visible, minimal jewellery
• Glasses rules: thin frames only, no tinted lenses, eyes fully visible, no reflections
• Technical quality: high resolution, sharp focus, true color, matte or low-gloss finish
• Recency & authenticity: taken within last 6 months, unedited, printed on quality photo paper