Where to get your photo taken
You have three main options for getting a photo that meets your state's requirements. The easiest is often to have it taken at the DMV office itself when you go in for your appointment — most DMV locations have a photographer on staff or a photo station, and they know exactly what their system needs. The photo costs a few dollars, usually between $5 and $15 depending on your state.
Your second option is to bring a photo you've had taken elsewhere. Many drugstores with photo departments — CVS, Walgreens, Walmart — offer driver's license photos. You can also use photos from portrait studios. If you go this route, you'll need to know your state's specific requirements before you have the photo taken, because rules vary on background color, head size, glasses, and facial expression.
A third option, available in some states, is to upload a digital photo you've taken yourself. Check your state's DMV website to see if this is allowed where you live, because most states do not permit it for a first-time license.
Key Takeaways
- Having your photo taken at the DMV during your appointment is usually the simplest approach because the photographer knows your state's exact requirements.
- If you bring a photo from elsewhere, you must follow your state's specific rules on background color, head position, glasses, and expression before paying for it.
- Most states require a color photo taken within the last six months, with a plain background and your face clearly visible and centered.
- Bring your photo to your DMV appointment along with all other required documents, or upload it beforehand if your state offers that option online.
What your state requires in a driver's license photo
Every state has rules about what a valid driver's license photo must show. Most require a color photo taken within the last six months, with a plain white or off-white background. Your face must be centered, clearly visible, and take up most of the frame — typically between 50 and 70 percent of the photo. You must be looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression; smiling is usually allowed but not required.
Glasses are permitted in most states, but the lenses cannot reflect light or hide your eyes. Sunglasses are never allowed. If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, most states will allow it as long as your face from the hairline to the chin is fully visible and unobstructed. Hats and other head coverings worn for fashion are not permitted.
Your state's DMV website lists the exact photo requirements for your state. Before you pay for a photo anywhere other than the DMV, read those requirements or call your local DMV office to confirm what will be accepted. Photos that don't meet the rules will be rejected, and you'll have to pay for another one.
Bringing a photo from a drugstore or studio
If you choose to have your photo taken at a drugstore or portrait studio, tell them it's for a driver's license and ask them to follow your state's DMV requirements. Bring a printed copy of those requirements with you, or show them on your phone. Many photo departments are familiar with driver's license photos and will know what to do, but confirming beforehand saves time and money.
You'll typically receive a printed photo in the size your state requires — usually 2 by 2 inches. Some places also provide a digital file. Bring the printed photo to your DMV appointment along with all your other documents. If your state allows you to upload a photo online before your appointment, ask the photo department if they can email you a digital version that meets the size and format requirements.
What to do if your photo is rejected
If you arrive at your DMV appointment with a photo and the staff tell you it doesn't meet requirements, you have two choices. You can have a new photo taken at the DMV on the spot, which costs a few dollars and takes a few minutes. Or you can reschedule your appointment, have a new photo taken elsewhere, and come back. Most people choose to have it taken at the DMV rather than delay their license.
Common reasons photos are rejected include a background that's not plain enough, a face that's too small in the frame, glare on glasses, or a photo that's too old. If your photo is rejected, ask the staff what specifically didn't meet requirements so you know what to fix if you need to try again.
Uploading a photo online before your appointment
Some states now allow you to upload a photo through the DMV website before you come in for your appointment. This is faster than having it taken at the office, and you'll know in advance whether it meets requirements. Check your state's DMV website to see if this option is available for a first-time license in your state.
If you upload a photo, your state will tell you the exact file format, size, and resolution needed. Follow those instructions precisely. The system will usually show you a preview of how your photo will appear on your license. If the preview looks wrong — your face is too small, the background is visible, or the crop is off-center — you can upload a different photo before your appointment.
Timing: when to get your photo taken
If you're having your photo taken at the DMV, you don't need to do anything in advance — just show up for your appointment. If you're bringing a photo from elsewhere, have it taken within a week or two of your appointment so it's recent and you look the same as you do on the day you go in.
Most states require that your photo be no more than six months old. If you're planning your appointment far in advance, wait to have your photo taken until closer to your appointment date. A photo taken six months before your appointment may be rejected as too old, depending on your state's rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear makeup or style my hair differently than usual?
Yes. Your photo should look like you on a typical day, but minor differences in makeup or hairstyle are fine. Avoid extreme changes — a completely different hair color or style might make the photo look like someone else, which could cause problems later if you're stopped by police.
What if I wear glasses and the photo has glare on the lenses?
Glare on glasses is a common reason photos are rejected. If you wear glasses, tilt them slightly or ask the photographer to adjust the lighting to eliminate the reflection. If you can't avoid glare, consider having the photo taken without glasses if you're comfortable doing so.
Do I need to wear a specific color or style of clothing?
No. Wear whatever you normally wear. Avoid clothing that's the same color as the background (usually white or off-white), because it can make your face hard to see. Otherwise, there are no clothing rules.
Can I use a photo I took myself with my phone or camera?
Most states do not allow self-taken photos for a first-time driver's license, though some states permit them for renewals. Check your state's DMV website. If your state does allow it, follow the photo requirements carefully — plain background, good lighting, centered face, and neutral expression.
What happens if I don't like how I look in my license photo?
You can request a new photo at your next renewal, which is typically every four to eight years depending on your state. Some states allow you to pay a small fee to retake your photo sooner if you're unhappy with it, but this varies by state.