Step-by-Step AU Australia NSW Driver's Licence Photo-kit 35x45 mm Application Guide

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: must be exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high (±1 mm tolerance)
• Head size: distance from chin to crown between 32 mm and 36 mm, occupying approx. 70%–80% of frame height
• Eye position: eyes located 28 mm–35 mm from the bottom edge of the photo, level and centred horizontally
• Background: plain, uniform light grey or off-white with no patterns, textures, shadows or objects
• Facial expression: neutral expression with mouth closed, no visible teeth, relaxed and natural look
• Head position: directly facing the camera, centred in frame, no tilt, no turning to side
• Lighting and exposure: even, diffused light with no shadows on face or background, true-to-life skin tones, no red-eye
• Photo quality and finish: high resolution (min. 600 dpi), sharp focus, matt or semi-matte paper, free of creases, marks or smudges
• Currency of photo: taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance accurately
• Glasses and eyewear: remove glasses unless medically required, no tinted or fashion frames, ensure eyes are fully visible without glare or reflections
• Headwear and religious garments: only permitted if worn daily for religious reasons, must not obscure hairline or cast shadows on face
• Clothing and accessories: wear normal, everyday attire (no uniforms, camouflage, or logos), avoid bright colours that blend into background

Step-by-Step Process

• Prepare your Photo‐Kit: unpack the grey 80–85 % neutral backdrop, height‐adjustable stand, ruler overlay and camera mount to confirm all components are present and undamaged.
• Set up lighting and background: position two diffused softboxes at 45° angles to eliminate shadows, hang the backdrop tautly on the stand and verify the surface is wrinkle-free to ensure an even tone.
• Mount and align the camera: affix your DSLR or mirrorless camera to the mount at eye level, attach an 85 mm or 105 mm lens, lock the tripod so the sensor plane is perpendicular to the backdrop.
• Calibrate framing tools: clip the transparent ruler overlay onto the backdrop, align its central vertical line with the camera’s crosshair and check the horizontal markers correspond to 35 mm width and 45 mm height.
• Position the applicant: have them stand barefoot 2 m from the backdrop, maintain a straight posture, face squarely forward, ensure the head fits between the 32–36 mm height guides and shoulders are relaxed.
• Guide facial expression and attire: instruct the applicant to keep a neutral expression with lips closed, remove eyeglasses or any headwear (unless for religious reasons), tuck hair behind ears and secure loose strands.
• Check exposure and white balance: set camera to manual mode, ISO 100–200, aperture f/8, shutter 1/125 s, use a grey card to custom‐set white balance so skin tones render accurately against the neutral backdrop.
• Capture and review images: take at least three shots, zoom to 100 % in camera playback to inspect focus on eyes, check for specular highlights or shadows, retake immediately if any non‐compliance appears.
• Crop to 35×45 mm in software: import the best file into photo‐editing software, use the ruler overlay reference to crop exactly 35 mm wide by 45 mm high, position the head so the crown is 3 mm below the top edge and the chin is 6 mm above the bottom.
• Print and quality‐check final photos: print at 600 dpi on matte, high-quality photo paper, trim precisely to 35×45 mm, measure with a ruler for exact dimensions and submit with application while retaining digital and paper backups.

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact Crop Alignment: position and crop your photo to the official 35 × 45 mm size with head height 32 – 36 mm to meet NSW standards and avoid automatic rejections
• Neutral Background: use a plain light grey or white backdrop free of shadows and patterns to ensure clear contrast for facial-recognition software
• Natural Expression: keep a neutral face with eyes open and mouth closed to comply with licence rules and prevent retakes at the service centre
• No Accessories: remove glasses, hats, scarves and headphones so your full facial features are visible to satisfy ID checks and avoid delay
• High Print Quality: print on high-resolution (600 dpi) matte photo paper to prevent pixelation, glare or sheen that can cause scanning errors

Conclusion

In summary, the Step-by-Step AU NSW Driver’s Licence Photo-kit 35×45 mm Application Guide equips you with everything needed to produce a fully compliant photograph and avoid processing delays.

Key specifications:

• Photo dimensions: exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high
• Head size: between 32 mm and 36 mm from chin to crown
• Background: plain white or light grey, no shadows or patterns
• Expression & pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, direct gaze
• Attire & accessories: no hats or headwear (unless religious), no sunglasses, minimal jewellery

Final four steps:

• Capture the image: position camera at eye level, centre the subject, use soft, even lighting.
• Crop & check: set canvas to 35×45 mm, verify head measurements, ensure correct background.
• Output: print on high-quality photographic paper or save as a 600 dpi JPEG.
• Submit: attach the digital file or physical photo to your licence application, labelling as required.

By following these guidelines precisely, you’ll submit a licence photo that meets NSW Transport standards on the first try.