Independent reference to official photo rules

Not affiliated with any government. Always confirm with the issuing authority before you apply.

WorldPhotoSpecsOfficial photo rules for every country

Driving licences

Brazil driving licence photo requirements

The 640 × 480 px photo rules set by Secretaria Nacional de Trânsito (SENATRAN) for the Brazil driving licence, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 12 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

Rate this page

Quick answer

What size is the Brazil driving licence photo?

You do not need a photo for a Brazilian driving licence (CNH). The state traffic department (Detran), or a SENATRAN-authorised company working for it, photographs you in person when your licensing process opens, together with your signature and fingerprints. Its capture must be in colour, at least 640 x 480 pixels and no more than 100 KB, on a light, uniform background, preferably white. Glasses, caps and hats are not allowed, apart from religious or medical head coverings.

The Carteira Nacional de Habilitação (CNH) is issued by the traffic department (Detran) of the state or Federal District where you live, under national rules from CONTRAN, the National Traffic Council, and SENATRAN, the National Traffic Secretariat. It comes in a physical and a digital version, and both count as an identity document throughout Brazil. Each version is personalised with images held in the national RENACH database, which the Detrans feed.

That is why there is no photo to prepare. Under CONTRAN Resolution 1.020 of 2025, a learner's RENACH form is opened and the facial image, signature and fingerprints are collected in person by the Detran before the medical and psychological tests can go ahead. SENATRAN Portaria 968 of 2022 sets the technical standard for that capture, and an amendment in force since August 2025 says biometric data is collected only in person, by the Detrans through companies SENATRAN has authorised.

Renewal follows the same pattern, but an existing capture can be reused while it is valid, and SENATRAN now ties that validity to the licence itself. Under the new federal renewal rules, drivers classed as good drivers in the national positive drivers register have their CNH renewed automatically in the CNH do Brasil app, with no visit to a Detran and nothing to upload.

Brazil driving licence photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by Secretaria Nacional de Trânsito (SENATRAN):[1]

Print sizeNo printed photo: the Detran or its authorised provider captures the image in person
Digital sizeCaptured by the Detran, not uploaded: colour image of at least 640 x 480 pixels
Head heightChin to top of the face: 60% to 90% of the image height; face 50% to 75% of its width
BackgroundLight, uniform colour, preferably white
ColourColour
Photo ageA capture stays valid as long as the CNH and may be reused; states can ask for a fresh one
File sizeUp to 100 KB (the Detran's capture file)
File formatPNG or JPEG, at least 300 dpi
Print qualityNo print: the card and the digital CNH use the image stored in RENACH
640 px480 px
640 × 480 px photo drawn to scale. Background: light.

In the official words

Exact wording from the official sources, quoted because the details matter:

Biometric data will only be collected in person and indexed to the persons concerned by their CPF number and the number of their Renach form or record, and must be validated at the moment of collection. (translated from Portuguese)

Portaria SENATRAN nº 495/2025, amending Portaria 968 (Portuguese)[2]

Key requirements

  • Captured at the Detran

    The facial image is one of the biometric records the Detran collects when your RENACH form is opened, alongside your signature and fingerprints. CONTRAN makes this in-person step a condition for moving on to the medical and psychological tests, so a print or file you bring has no use.

  • ISO standard capture

    SENATRAN requires a frontal capture to the ISO/IEC 19794-5 standard, with automatic quality control based on facial recognition. The file is a colour PNG or JPEG of at least 300 dpi and 640 x 480 pixels, no larger than 100 KB.

  • Face size and pose

    Your face must fill 50% to 75% of the image width, and the distance from the tip of the chin to the top of the face 60% to 90% of its height. Face the lens, centred, with your eyes open, level and looking at the camera.

  • Mouth closed, face clear

    Keep your mouth closed and uncovered unless the Detran authorises an exception. Hair must not fall over your eyes or face, and no object that hinders identification, and no other person, may appear in the picture.

  • Even light, light background

    The background must be a light, uniform colour, preferably white. Lighting has to be even, neither too strong nor too weak, with no shadows on the face, no reflections and no red eyes.

  • Reuse and fresh captures

    A capture keeps the validity of the CNH and can be reused within that period. São Paulo asks for biometrics no more than 8 years old before it adds a category, and in Rio de Janeiro renewal includes a visit for a new photo, fingerprints and signature.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Book the in-person biometric appointment your state Detran asks for.
  • Bring your original identity document and CPF.
  • Take off your glasses for the capture if you can.
  • Keep your eyes open and your mouth closed.
  • Keep hair away from your eyes and face.
  • Tell staff if a medical condition affects your pose or appearance.

Don't

  • Do not bring a printed photo: it will not be used.
  • Do not wear a cap, hat or beanie unless it is a religious or medical covering.
  • Do not wear tinted or dark lenses.
  • Do not wear thick frames that hide part of your eyes.
  • Do not let anyone else appear in the frame.

Sample photos

How a Brazil driving licence photo should look, and the mistakes that most often get photos rejected. Each example is drawn to this document's 640 × 480 px and background colour.

Correct
Open-mouth smile
Head tilted
Too close: head too big
Too far: head too small
Busy background
Shadows on face or background
Glare on glasses

Illustrations, not real photos. The official rules above always take priority; some documents do not allow glasses at all.

Glasses

Plan to take them off. CONTRAN's rules for the CNH photo list glasses among the items a candidate or driver may not wear. SENATRAN's capture standard is slightly softer: people who wear glasses should preferably remove them and may keep them on only in cases of extreme necessity.

If glasses are worn, the frame must not be thick or block part of the eyes, the lenses must be clear rather than coloured or dark, and they must show no reflections. The automatic quality check is there to ensure there are no reflections in the lenses.

Headwear and religious dress

Caps, hats, beanies and any clothing or accessory that covers part of the face or head are not allowed. Since April 2024 CONTRAN has made two exceptions: items worn for belief or religion, such as veils and habits, and coverings for hair loss caused by illness or medical treatment. In both cases your face, forehead and chin must be perfectly visible.

SENATRAN's capture standard adds that hair, hats and caps must not obstruct the face, except where the applicant has a physical or medical restriction, for example a prosthesis or orthosis, or where the Detran authorises it.

Neither is needed from you. There is no print to stick on a form and no upload: the Detran's equipment produces the image and sends it to RENACH, and both the plastic card and the digital licence use the image stored there. The QR code on the CNH holds the photograph too, so the document can be checked against the national record.

The digital CNH is issued and stored by the federal traffic authority and shown in the CNH do Brasil app. A physical card is printed by companies SENATRAN authorises and issued by your state Detran; after an automatic renewal you request it from the Detran and pay the local fee.

Where to submit the photo

Start with your state Detran. In Rio de Janeiro, the first-licence fee covers opening the RENACH form, biometric collection and the photo; on the booked day you go to a Detran post with your original identity document, CPF, proof of address and the paid fee. Renewal can be requested online through Detran RJ Digital, after which you attend only for a new photo, fingerprints and signature.

In Minas Gerais, the photo, signature and fingerprints for a first licence are taken at the clinic where you have the medical and psychological tests. For a replacement card with changed details, the state says photographs supplied by the driver are not accepted. In São Paulo, when you update the details on your CNH, the Detran-SP or Poupatempo counter collects fingerprints, photo and signature during the appointment, and in some cases reuses the previous collection.

How to get your Brazil driving licence photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Brazil driving licence: 640 × 480 px print, 640 × 480 px digital file, light background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: captured at the Detran; iSO standard capture; face size and pose; mouth closed, face clear.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Neither is needed from you. There is no print to stick on a form and no upload: the Detran's equipment produces the image and sends it to RENACH, and both the plastic card and the digital licence use the image stored there.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Start with your state Detran. In Rio de Janeiro, the first-licence fee covers opening the RENACH form, biometric collection and the photo; on the booked day you go to a Detran post with your original identity document, CPF, proof of address and the paid fee.

Make this photo online

Brazil driving licence photo FAQ

No. The Detran, or a company SENATRAN has authorised to work for it, photographs you in person when your process is opened. National rules say biometric data is collected only in person, and Minas Gerais states that photographs supplied by the driver are not accepted.

Avoid it. CONTRAN lists glasses among the items not allowed in the CNH photo, and SENATRAN's capture standard tolerates them only in cases of extreme necessity, with thin frames, clear lenses and no reflections. Tinted or dark lenses are never acceptable.

Yes. Since April 2024 CONTRAN allows religious items such as veils and habits, and coverings worn because of hair loss from illness or medical treatment, as long as your face, forehead and chin are perfectly visible. Caps, hats and beanies are still not allowed.

It depends on your state and on your last capture. SENATRAN lets a capture be reused while it is valid, which now matches the validity of the licence. Rio de Janeiro takes a new photo at renewal, São Paulo reuses an earlier collection for some services, and automatic renewals in the CNH do Brasil app involve no visit.

SENATRAN requires a light, uniform background, preferably white, with even lighting, no shadows on any part of the face and no reflections or dark patches anywhere in the picture.

No. CONTRAN says the images used to personalise the CNH, physical or digital, are the ones the state Detrans store in the central RENACH database. The digital version is issued and stored by the federal traffic authority and appears in the CNH do Brasil app.

The national standard does not mention smiling. It asks for the mouth to be closed and unobstructed, unless the Detran authorises an exception, with the eyes open and looking straight at the camera.

Related photo specifications

Other Brazil documents

Driving licences nearby

Was this page helpful?

No ratings yet. Be the first to rate this page.

Official sources

  1. Secretaria Nacional de Trânsito (SENATRAN). Portaria SENATRAN nº 968/2022: coleta de dados biométricos (Portuguese) gov.br. Checked 2 November 2026.
  2. Secretaria Nacional de Trânsito (SENATRAN). Portaria SENATRAN nº 495/2025, amending Portaria 968 (Portuguese) gov.br. Checked 2 November 2026.
  3. Conselho Nacional de Trânsito (CONTRAN). Resolução CONTRAN nº 1.020/2025: habilitação de condutores (Portuguese) gov.br. Checked 2 November 2026.
  4. Conselho Nacional de Trânsito (CONTRAN). Resolução CONTRAN nº 886/2021: especificações da CNH (Portuguese) gov.br. Checked 2 November 2026.
  5. Conselho Nacional de Trânsito (CONTRAN). Resolução CONTRAN nº 1.006/2024: fotografia da CNH (Portuguese) gov.br. Checked 2 November 2026.
  6. Serpro, Government of Brazil. Governo passa a renovar CNH automaticamente e sem custo para bons condutores (Portuguese) serpro.gov.br. Checked 2 November 2026.
  7. Detran-RJ. CNH do Brasil: primeira habilitação (Portuguese) detran.rj.gov.br. Checked 2 November 2026.
  8. Detran-RJ. Dúvidas frequentes: habilitação (Portuguese) detran.rj.gov.br. Checked 2 November 2026.
  9. Government of Minas Gerais. Obter a 1ª habilitação: CNH ou ACC (Portuguese) mg.gov.br. Checked 2 November 2026.
  10. Government of Minas Gerais. Solicitar 2ª via da CNH, PPD ou ACC com alteração de dados (Portuguese) mg.gov.br. Checked 2 November 2026.
  11. Detran-SP via Poupatempo, Government of São Paulo. Solicitar Atualização de Dados da CNH (Portuguese) poupatempo.sp.gov.br. Checked 2 November 2026.
  12. Detran-SP, Government of São Paulo. Adicionar Categoria na CNH (Portuguese) servicos.sp.gov.br. Checked 2 November 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Secretaria Nacional de Trânsito (SENATRAN) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"Brazil driving licence photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/brazil/driving-licence-photo

Categories: