China driving licence photo requirements
The 520 × 756 px photo rules set by Ministry of Public Security (traffic management / vehicle administration offices) for the China driving licence, with the official wording and sources.
Quick answer
What size is the China driving licence photo?
A Chinese driving licence photo is 32 mm high and 22 mm wide, about 1 inch, in colour on a white background and taken within 6 months. The head is 14–16 mm wide and 19–22 mm long, according to Beijing traffic police. The digital photo for the electronic licence is 520 x 756 pixels.
A Chinese driving licence photo (驾驶证照片) is 32 mm high and 22 mm wide, about 1 inch, in colour on a white background and taken within the last 6 months. The head is 14–16 mm wide and 19–22 mm long, and the digital photo for the electronic licence is 520 x 756 pixels.
The photo rules come from the mandatory public security standard GA 482-2012 《中华人民共和国机动车驾驶证件》, clause 5.2.3, in force since 1 January 2013. The Ministry of Public Security's licence regulation, 《机动车驾驶证申领和使用规定》 as amended by Order No. 172, says only that the licence shows the holder's photo. To apply, proof of identity and a medical certificate of physical condition are needed.
China driving licence photo size and specifications
The requirements as published by Ministry of Public Security (traffic management / vehicle administration offices):[1]
| Print size | 32 mm high x 22 mm wide (about 1 inch) |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 520 x 756 pixels, head 331–378 pixels wide (electronic licence) |
| Head height | Head length 19–22 mm; head width 14–16 mm |
| Background | White |
| Colour | Colour, straight-edged, front-facing, bare-headed half-length photo of the applicant alone |
| Photo age | Taken within 6 months before applying |
| File size | Not published on the official pages checked |
| File format | Not published on the official pages checked |
Key requirements
- Size and head
The print is 32 mm high and 22 mm wide, described by Beijing traffic police as "相当于1英寸" (about 1 inch). The head is 14–16 mm wide and 19–22 mm long.
- Recent colour photo on white
The photo must be in colour on a white background and taken within 6 months before applying. It is a front-facing, bare-headed half-length photo of the applicant alone.
- Digital photo
The electronic licence photo is 520 x 756 pixels with the head 331–378 pixels wide (GA 482-2012 clause 5.2.3, as cited by a district government explainer on the 12123 electronic licence).
- Content check for app uploads
Photos uploaded in the app are also checked for content: the photo must not show slogans, symbols, numbers or text that break the law or public decency.
- Number of photos
Beijing's guide for expiry renewal at a vehicle administration office asks for 3 photos. Renewing in the 交管12123 app requires one photo, either one uploaded before or one taken live.
- Reusing photos on record
In Shanghai, a photo taken at a police photo point can be reused for driving licence business within 6 months. Guangzhou's photo receipts, valid for 1 year (180 days for under-16s), cover vehicle and driver services as well as ID cards and exit-entry documents.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Use a plain white background and even light
- Sit upright with shoulders level and look straight at the lens with a natural expression
- Keep hair off the face and ears
- Use a sharp, undistorted photo taken in the last 6 months
Don't
- Wear very light-coloured clothes or a uniform
- Wear a mask, sunglasses, a hat, a scarf or jewellery
- Wear heavy make-up, pull a face, gesture or blink
- Retouch features or use a composite photo
Sample photos
How a China driving licence photo should look, and the mistakes that most often get photos rejected. Each example is drawn to this document's 520 × 756 px and background colour.
Illustrations, not real photos. The official rules above always take priority; some documents do not allow glasses at all.
Glasses
The rules found do not mention clear glasses. They ban sunglasses, and ask that there is no glare on the lenses if glasses are worn.
Headwear and religious dress
Hats, scarves, masks and jewellery are not allowed; the head must be bare.
Printed and digital photos
A printed 32 x 22 mm photo is used at the counter (3 prints for expiry renewal at a Beijing vehicle administration office). The 交管12123 app takes one photo, either one uploaded before or one taken live; the electronic licence photo is 520 x 756 pixels. The 32 x 22 mm size is narrower than the 26 x 32 mm ID card photo, although both are 32 mm high on white.
Where to submit the photo
At a vehicle administration office, or online in the 交管12123 app or on the traffic management website. For a renewal the medical check is taken first at a designated clinic, which can send the result online. The licence fee in Beijing and Qingdao is 10 yuan (plus postage if mailed in Qingdao); the licence is issued within half a working day at the Beijing counter, and can be collected at an outlet or mailed. Drivers aged 70 or over in Beijing must also pass a memory, judgement and reaction test at a branch office.
How to get your China driving licence photo
- Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the China driving licence: 520 × 756 px print, 520 × 756 px digital file, white background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
- Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: size and head; recent colour photo on white; digital photo; content check for app uploads.
- Prepare a print or digital file. A printed 32 x 22 mm photo is used at the counter (3 prints for expiry renewal at a Beijing vehicle administration office). The 交管12123 app takes one photo, either one uploaded before or one taken live; the electronic licence photo is 520 x 756 pixels.
- Submit the photo with your application. At a vehicle administration office, or online in the 交管12123 app or on the traffic management website. For a renewal the medical check is taken first at a designated clinic, which can send the result online.
China driving licence photo FAQ
32 mm high and 22 mm wide, which Beijing traffic police describe as about 1 inch. The head is 14–16 mm wide and 19–22 mm long. The digital version for the electronic licence is 520 x 756 pixels.
No. Both are 32 mm high on a white background, but the ID card photo is 26 mm wide and the licence photo only 22 mm wide.
Beijing's guide for expiry renewal at a vehicle administration office asks for 3 photos. When renewing in the 交管12123 app, one photo is submitted in the app, either one uploaded before or one taken live.
Yes, in the 交管12123 app or on the traffic management website. First take the medical check at a designated clinic, which can send the result online. Then apply in the app, submit the photo and choose collection or delivery. Beijing and Qingdao charge 10 yuan for the licence, plus postage if it is mailed.
The rules found do not mention clear glasses. They do ban sunglasses, hats, masks, scarves and jewellery, and ask that hair does not cover the face or ears. Glasses wearers should make sure there is no glare on the lenses.
It must be taken within 6 months of the application. In Shanghai, a photo taken at a police photo point can be reused for the driving licence only within 6 months, against 3 years for the ID card.
Related photo specifications
Other China documents
- Passport photo 33 × 48 mm
- Visa photo 33 × 48 mm
- Visa (COVA online application digital photo) photo 33 × 48 mm
- ID card photo 26 × 32 mm
- Foreign permanent resident ID card photo 33 × 48 mm
- Residence permit for foreigners photo 33 × 48 mm
- APEC business travel card photo 30 × 40 mm
- Exit-Entry permit for travelling to and from hong kong and macao photo 33 × 48 mm
- Travel permit to and from taiwan for mainland residents photo 33 × 48 mm
- National computer rank examination photo 33 × 48 mm
- Putonghua proficiency test photo
- Social security card photo 26 × 32 mm
Driving licences nearby
- Japan driving licence photo 24 × 30 mm
- Japan international driving permit photo 35 × 45 mm
- Bangladesh driving licence photo
- India driving licence photo 35 × 45 mm
- Singapore singapore driving licence photo 35 × 45 mm
- Sri Lanka driving licence photo 35 × 45 mm
- All China photo specifications
- Driving licences: photo rules by country
- Every document that uses a 520 × 756 px photo
- Photo specifications in Asia
Official sources
- Beijing Traffic Management Bureau. 驾驶人相片要求 (driver photo requirements) jtgl.beijing.gov.cn. Checked 29 October 2026.
- Beijing Traffic Management Bureau. 机动车驾驶证期满换证及审验 (expiry renewal guide) jtgl.beijing.gov.cn. Checked 29 October 2026.
- Beijing Traffic Management Bureau. Renewing in the 交管12123 app jtgl.beijing.gov.cn. Checked 29 October 2026.
- Lishi District Government. Electronic driving licence photo rules (GA 482-2012) lishi.gov.cn. Checked 29 October 2026.
- Qingdao Municipal Government. Driving licence expiry renewal guide qingdao.gov.cn. Checked 29 October 2026.
- National Public Service Platform for Standards Information. GA 482-2012 中华人民共和国机动车驾驶证件 std.samr.gov.cn. Checked 29 October 2026.
- Beijing Municipal Government. 机动车驾驶证申领和使用规定 (Order No. 172) beijing.gov.cn. Checked 29 October 2026.
- Shanghai Public Security Bureau. Unified photo library gaj.sh.gov.cn. Checked 29 October 2026.
- Guangdong Provincial Government. Guangzhou extends ID photo validity to 1 year gd.gov.cn. Checked 29 October 2026.
Requirements can change, so always confirm with Ministry of Public Security (traffic management / vehicle administration offices) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.
Cite this page
"China driving licence photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/china/driving-licence-photo