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

Requirements

• Dimensions: photo must be exactly 21 × 30 mm with no white borders or margins
• Orientation: portrait format, face vertical in the center of the frame
• Head size: distance from crown to chin must fill 70–80 % of the photo height (≈ 21–24 mm)
• Eye position: eyes should lie approximately 2/3 down from the top edge (about 20 mm) and be level
• Background: plain light-colored (white or very light gray), matte finish, no patterns, shadows or objects
• Face & expression: neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, no laugh lines or raised eyebrows
• Head position: directly facing camera, no tilt, no turning; full face visible without obstruction
• Glasses & eyewear: if worn, lenses must be clear (no tint), frames narrow, no glare or reflections, eyes fully visible
• Head coverings: only for religious reasons, must not cast shadows, face from hairline to chin and both edges of cheeks fully visible
• Clothing: everyday attire, no uniforms, no camouflage, no large collars or accessories covering neck/face
• Image quality: high resolution (min. 600 dpi), sharp focus, even lighting, true-to-life color balance, no red-eye
• Photo age: taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance
• Paper & finish: printed on high-quality photo paper (matte or glossy), no creases, smudges or scanner artifacts
• File requirements (digital submissions): JPEG format, uncompressed or minimally compressed, color space sRGB
• Retouching & editing: no heavy digital manipulation; minor color correction allowed but facial features must remain natural

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Understand official photo standards: Russia driving license photos must be exactly 21 × 30 mm (width × height) with a head height of 18–25 mm from chin to crown, eye-line positioned ~11 mm from the top edge, 300 dpi resolution, JPEG or printed matte/glossy finish
• Second step: Prepare shooting environment and lighting: use a plain, light-colored background (white or very light gray) and two soft light sources at 45° angles to eliminate shadows and ensure even illumination on face and background
• Third step: Position subject for correct framing: have the applicant stand 1–5 m from background and camera at eye level, facing straight ahead with shoulders square, maintaining a neutral expression, closed mouth, and eyes open and visible
• Fourth step: Configure camera settings: set resolution to at least 300 dpi (minimum 600 × 900 px for 21 × 30 mm), use a focal length equivalent to 85–105 mm on full-frame to minimize distortion, turn off flash to prevent red-eye and glare on glasses
• Fifth step: Capture the photo with proper headwear and eyewear rules: remove hats and head coverings unless worn daily for religious reasons (ensure full face visibility), if wearing glasses ensure lenses are clear, frames are thin, and there’s no reflection obscuring eyes
• Sixth step: Verify the shot immediately: confirm the head size measures between 18 and 25 mm on-screen or with a ruler overlay, check eye-line is ~11 mm from top, background is uniform, no shadows, no red-eye, and facial features are sharp and well-contrasted
• Seventh step: Crop and resize precisely: using professional software, set the canvas to 21 × 30 mm at 300 dpi, position crop box so chin and crown align with measurement guides, lock aspect ratio to prevent distortion, export at maximum quality
• Eighth step: Adjust color and brightness if needed: apply only global exposure and white balance corrections to maintain natural skin tones, avoid filters or retouching that alter appearance, confirm final file size and format meet local authority or printer requirements
• Ninth step: Print or submit digitally per authority guidelines: for printed photos use high-quality photo paper (matte or glossy) and professional printer, trim to exact dimensions with a guillotine cutter; for digital submission upload the JPEG per the portal’s file-size and naming conventions
• Tenth step: Final compliance check: lay the printed photo on a flat, white background and measure with a ruler to ensure exact 21 × 30 mm size and correct head placement before attaching to your application to avoid rejection.

Tips and Best Practices

• Background uniformity: Use a plain light (white or very light grey) background with no shadows or patterns to ensure clear subject contrast and meet Russian standards
• Head size and positioning: Center your head so it occupies about 70–80 % of the 30 mm height (≈21–24 mm) with eyes 13–18 mm from the top edge to comply with scale requirements
• Lighting and shadows: Employ even frontal lighting to eliminate harsh shadows and highlights, ensuring all facial features are clearly visible and meet biometric criteria
• Expression and eyewear: Maintain a neutral expression with closed mouth, keep eyes fully open, remove tinted lenses and angle eyewear to avoid glare, guaranteeing unobstructed facial recognition
• Photo quality and printing: Capture at high resolution (600 dpi or higher), use professional-grade matte photo paper and ensure sharp focus to prevent pixelation, fading, or scanning errors

Conclusion

In conclusion, the key requirements for a Russian driving-license photo (21 × 30 mm) are:

• Size: exactly 21 × 30 mm, with the head height 18–22 mm and top margin 2–5 mm
• Background: uniform light grey or white, no shadows or patterns
• Head position: facing camera, eyes level, neutral expression, mouth closed
• Image quality: high resolution (600 dpi), true-to-life color, sharp focus, even lighting
• Appearance: no headwear (except for medical/religious reasons), no glasses or colored lenses, natural hair visible
• Printing: matte or semi-matte finish, no borders or perforations, durable non-gloss paper

Following these specifications precisely will ensure swift approval of your driving license application with no need for retakes.