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Ireland driving licence and learner permit photo requirements

The photo rules set by National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), managed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) for the Ireland driving licence and learner permit, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 4 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the Ireland driving licence and learner permit photo requirements?

No photo is brought for an Irish learner permit or driving licence. At an NDLS centre, staff take the photo and capture the signature, and the cost is included in the licence fee. Online applications use the photo on the Public Services Card, which must not be over 10 years old.

Learner permits and driving licences are processed by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), which the Road Safety Authority (RSA) manages. There are two ways to apply, and in neither case is a printed or digital passport photo supplied for the licence itself.

At one of the 34 NDLS centres, staff take the photograph and capture a digital signature. Online, a Public Services Card and a verified MyGovID account are needed, and the licence photo comes from the card.

Ireland driving licence and learner permit photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), managed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA):[1]

BackgroundPSC online renewal photo: plain, light-coloured
Photo ageOnline: Public Services Card photo must be under 10 years old. PSC online renewal photo: taken within the last 6 months

In the official words

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

They will take your photograph and a digital signature will be captured. This photograph will be used on your licence. The cost is included in the licence fee.

National Driver Licence Service: Applying in person[2]

You cannot apply online for your learner permit or driving licence services if your Public Services Card (PSC) photograph is over 10-years-old. You will need to renew your PSC ONLINE on the MyWelfare.ie website.

National Driver Licence Service: Frequently asked questions[1]

A GNIB card or Irish residence permit cannot be accepted without a current passport or PSC

National Driver Licence Service: Frequently asked questions[1]

Key requirements

  • In person

    NDLS staff take the photograph and capture a digital signature. The photo cost is included in the licence fee. Appointments are required (no walk-ins); book online or call 0818 919 090. Photocopies of photo ID are not accepted.

  • Online

    Requires a Public Services Card and a verified MyGovID account. Available for a first learner permit (after the theory test), first driving licence, renewals, replacements, changes of personal details and foreign licence exchanges.

  • PSC photo age

    Online services cannot be used if the PSC photograph is over 10 years old. Renew the PSC on MyWelfare.ie with a new photo, or book an NDLS centre appointment.

  • IRP and GNIB cards

    An IRP or GNIB card is not accepted as photo ID without a current passport or PSC.

  • PSC renewal photo

    MyWelfare's rules for the renewal upload include a plain light-coloured background, no glasses, taken within the last 6 months and by someone else (not a selfie).

Glasses

No photo rules are given for the NDLS centre photo. For an online PSC renewal photo, glasses are not allowed.

No photo is supplied for the licence. A digital photo is uploaded only if renewing the Public Services Card online on MyWelfare.ie.

Where to submit the photo

At an NDLS centre by appointment (34 centres; payment by credit or debit card or Google Pay/Apple Pay), or online using a Public Services Card and verified MyGovID account. Acceptable photo ID at the centre includes an Irish driving licence or learner permit, a current PSC, an Irish passport expired by no more than 12 months, a current passport (non-Irish citizens), an EU/EEA/Swiss national identity card, a current UK photo driving licence or a current Irish travel document.

How to get your Ireland driving licence and learner permit photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Ireland driving licence and learner permit: pSC online renewal photo: plain background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: in person; online; pSC photo age; iRP and GNIB cards.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. No photo is supplied for the licence. A digital photo is uploaded only if renewing the Public Services Card online on MyWelfare.ie.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. At an NDLS centre by appointment (34 centres; payment by credit or debit card or Google Pay/Apple Pay), or online using a Public Services Card and verified MyGovID account.

Ireland driving licence and learner permit photo FAQ

No. If you apply at an NDLS centre, staff take your photograph and capture your signature electronically, and the cost is included in the licence fee. If you apply online, you use your Public Services Card and a verified MyGovID account instead.

No. Renew your PSC online on MyWelfare with a new photo and wait for approval, or book an NDLS centre appointment.

The NDLS says you can either renew your PSC online through MyWelfare.ie, uploading a recent digital photo that meets the requirements, or visit an NDLS centre (appointment required), where a new photo is taken.

No. The NDLS says the cost of the photograph is included in the licence fee. The RSA lists the fee for a new 10-year licence as 65 EUR.

No. There are no walk-in appointments: book online or call 0818 919 090.

Not on its own. The NDLS says a GNIB card or Irish residence permit cannot be accepted without a current passport or PSC. A current passport valid for international use is accepted as photo ID for non-Irish citizens.

Related photo specifications

Other Ireland documents

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Official sources

  1. National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). Frequently asked questions ndls.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). Applying in person ndls.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. Road Safety Authority (RSA). Apply for your first driving licence rsa.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. MyWelfare (Department of Social Protection). Renew your Public Services Card services.mywelfare.ie. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), managed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"Ireland driving licence and learner permit photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/ireland/driving-licence-photo

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