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New Zealand driver licence photo requirements

The 35 × 45 mm photo rules set by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) for the New Zealand driver licence, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 6 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What size is the New Zealand driver licence photo?

You usually do not bring a photo for a New Zealand driver licence: a driver licensing agent, such as the AA or selected VTNZ sites, takes your photo and signature. NZTA's guidance says you need a new photo every 10 years on renewal, and older drivers at 75, 86 and every 10 years after that. You supply a passport-style photo only if none of your identity documents has a photo.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) runs driver licensing. A licensing agent checks your identity documents, then takes the photo that goes on your card, so you have little to prepare apart from what you wear.

The source page notes that NZTA's website could not be opened for an automated check at the last review, so the details come from NZTA's published guidance and forms as summarised by the site and are not confirmed by a direct read of NZTA's pages.

New Zealand driver licence photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA):[1]

Print sizeOwn photo (only if no photo ID): passport-style; the form gives no size. The standard NZ passport print is 35 x 45 mm
BackgroundPlain light background (standard passport print)
Photo ageOwn photo: taken within the last 6 months
Pixels when printed413 × 531 px at 300 dpi · 827 × 1063 px at 600 dpi (calculated)
35 mm45 mm
35 × 45 mm photo drawn to scale. Background: plain light background.

Key requirements

  • Who takes the photo

    A driver licensing agent, such as the AA or selected VTNZ sites, takes your photo and signature when you apply or renew, in person in New Zealand.

  • How often

    A new photo and signature every 10 years when you renew. Older drivers get a new photo at age 75, 86 and every 10 years after that. From 75 you renew at 75 and 80, then every 2 years, with a medical certificate valid for 60 days.

  • Supplying your own photo

    NZTA's driver licence application form (DL1, June 2026) asks you to supply a passport-style photo taken within the last 6 months, signed on the back by an identity referee, only when none of your identity documents has a photo.

  • What you can wear

    The replacement licence form (DL2) says the photo cannot show sunglasses, a hat, a head covering or anything else that hides your face. NZTA's Factsheet 72 adds that your face must be visible from forehead to chin.

  • Temporary licence

    A 21-day temporary licence is issued while you wait for the card.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Keep your whole face visible from your forehead to your chin
  • Keep a religious or medical head covering on, and be ready to sign a statement about it
  • Ask the agent if you are unsure about your glasses

Don't

  • Wear sunglasses
  • Wear a hat or cap
  • Let hair, a scarf or anything else hide part of your face

Sample photos

How a New Zealand driver licence photo should look, and the mistakes that most often get photos rejected. Each example is drawn to this document's 35 × 45 mm 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

NZTA's replacement licence form rules out sunglasses and anything that hides your face. It does not spell out a rule for clear prescription glasses in the extract checked, so ask the agent before your photo is taken.

Headwear and religious dress

Head coverings are allowed only for religious or medical reasons, with a signed statement, and your face must still be visible from your forehead to your chin. Hats are not allowed.

The agent takes the photo digitally at the counter. Renewal must be done in person in New Zealand because the agent takes a new photo. A replacement licence can be ordered online with a RealMe verified identity, including for delivery overseas.

Where to submit the photo

Visit a licensing agent in New Zealand (the AA or selected VTNZ sites) with your form and identity documents. Drivers 75 and over also need a medical certificate.

How to get your New Zealand driver licence photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the New Zealand driver licence: 35 × 45 mm print, plain light background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: who takes the photo; how often; supplying your own photo; what you can wear.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. The agent takes the photo digitally at the counter. Renewal must be done in person in New Zealand because the agent takes a new photo. A replacement licence can be ordered online with a RealMe verified identity, including for delivery overseas.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Visit a licensing agent in New Zealand (the AA or selected VTNZ sites) with your form and identity documents. Drivers 75 and over also need a medical certificate.

New Zealand driver licence photo FAQ

Usually not. Your driver licensing agent takes your photo and signature when you apply or renew. NZTA's application form (DL1) asks you to supply a passport-style photo, signed on the back by an identity referee, only if none of your identity documents has a photo.

NZTA's guidance says you need a new photo and signature taken by the agent every 10 years, when you renew your licence. For older drivers it says this happens at age 75, 86 and every 10 years after that.

NZTA's replacement licence form rules out sunglasses and anything that hides your face. It does not spell out a rule for clear prescription glasses in the extract checked, so ask the agent before your photo is taken.

Only for religious or medical reasons. NZTA's guidance says you need to give a signed statement, and your face must still be visible from your forehead to your chin.

No. NZTA's guidance says you must renew in person in New Zealand, because the agent takes a new photo. A replacement licence can be ordered online with a RealMe verified identity, including for delivery overseas.

Related photo specifications

Other New Zealand documents

Driving licences nearby

Also 35 × 45 mm

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Official sources

  1. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). Renewing your licence nzta.govt.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). Renewing for seniors nzta.govt.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). Driver licensing agents nzta.govt.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). Application for driver licence DL1 (PDF) nzta.govt.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  5. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). Application for replacement driver licence DL2 (PDF) nzta.govt.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  6. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). Factsheet 72 nzta.govt.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"New Zealand driver licence photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/new-zealand/driver-licence-photo

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