How to take a good driver’s licence photo
Bad hair day? We get it – being snapped for your driver’s licence photo isn’t the same as striking a pose for Insta and adding a filter.
That’s why we’ve put together a few guidelines for getting a decent driver’s licence shot, and it involves much more than brushing your hair. In fact, there are a few legal requirements you need to follow when getting a snap at Service SA.
Wipe that smile off your face
If your smile is your best feature, we have some bad news. Flashing those pearly whites is against the rules. Guidelines for Australian driver’s licence photos follow the same strict rules as passport photos. That means no smiling; you must have a neutral expression and your mouth closed.
You need to remain expressionless due to facial recognition software. In 2017, SA’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) joined the Federal Government’s National Driver Licence Facial Recognition Solution (NDLFRS), which is designed to protect Australians from identify theft and prevent crime.
The system works by identifying distinctive facial characteristics, which can then be compared against driver’s licence images and other credentials. This technology is already in use in Australia for passport and immigration purposes. Unfortunately, smiling can make it hard for this software to read your face.
What Service SA says
There are other criteria you must meet to ensure your photo is up to scratch in the eyes of the law. To understand more about what makes a picture-perfect (and valid) driver’s licence, we spoke to Service SA where licence photos are taken.
“Prior to taking a photo, staff must ensure the customer has their eyes open and is facing the camera front-on with their whole face visible,” a Service SA spokesperson says.
Hair must not cover the face and facial piercings, such as nose rings and studs that are worn permanently by the customer must not cause a reflection.
While hats aren’t allowed, there are some exemptions. Religious headwear that needs to be worn in public, like a hijab are permitted as well as headscarves required for medical treatments such as chemotherapy.
Chances are you’ve cringed when your photo’s arrived in the mail, or there’s the possibility you’ve had having trouble seeing it altogether. This leads us to the next rule. Glasses mustn’t be worn in the photo as they can cause glare and reflection.
According to Service SA, you’re not permitted to be pictured with glasses even if you’re required to wear them while driving. Mild vision impairment – like being long or short-sighted – isn’t a valid reason to hide behind your specs, unless you provide a medical certificate stating otherwise.
“In line with the guidelines, in rare cases, glasses may be permitted where they cannot be removed for medical reasons, like severe light sensitivity or recent eye surgery,” a Service SA spokesperson says.
Pet peeves
Chance for a do-over… in a decade
Unlike images you post on social media, you can’t delete or Photoshop your driver’s licence photo. There is, however, the legal requirement to have your photo re-taken, albeit, in 10 years. You can, however, choose to get a two-year licence if you don’t want to pay for the full 10 years.
Rest assured; you’re not entirely stuck with a bad photo for a decade. If your appearance has dramatically changed – maybe you’ve lost weight or undergone surgery – you can have your photo re-taken at Service SA customer centres or selected Australia Post offices.
There’s nothing quite like a reality check of how well (or badly) you’ve aged after looking at a side-by-side comparison of your driver’s licences over the years – wrinkles, age spots and let’s not forget the extra kilos that made it straight to your chin.
Do you want to ask a road rule question?
RAA’s road rules experts can help.
Or call 8202 4570