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Germany Driving Licence Photo — at home in 60 seconds

German driving licence (Führerschein): first licence, exchange of an old licence, replacement

Take it with your phone against a plain, light wall. We crop it to the exact size (35×45 mm) and check the head size, position and background against the published rules.

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Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.

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Example 35×45 mm photo: a man wearing glasses, white background (fictional AI-generated model)
35×45 mm · white backgroundExample (AI-generated model)

Quick answer

A Germany Driving Licence Photo must be 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) when printed, or a digital file of 895 × 1150 px (up to 3 MB, JPEG), with the head 32–36 mm from chin to top of head, on a light grey or plain light colour background. A photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets these rules.

Printed photo
35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Digital file
895 × 1150 px · up to 3 MB · JPEG

Verified October 8, 2026 from gesetze-im-internet.de (Bundesministerium der Justiz).

Photo requirements

Summarised from the official sources below.

Printed photo
35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Digital file
895 × 1150 px · up to 3 MB · JPEG
Head size (chin to top of head)
32–36 mm (70–80 % of the photo height)
Background
Light grey, plain light colour. Plain and shadow-free, with clear contrast to face and hair. With very light hair, a slightly darker grey works better.
Expression
Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking straight into the camera.
Glasses
Glasses are allowed if your eyes are clearly visible: no tinted lenses, no reflections, and the frame must not cover your eyes.
Head covering
Not allowed, except for religious reasons; your face must then be visible from chin to forehead with no shadows. Medical exceptions are decided by the licence office.
Babies and children
Applicants are at least 15, so the adult rules apply.
Online application
Online application where your licence office offers it (Digitaler Führerscheinantrag or a city portal): you upload a JPEG instead of handing in a print.
More rules (9)
  • Bring one printed biometric photo, 35 × 45 mm, portrait format, no border. The office does not print photos for you.
  • A photo-studio code (Data-Matrix/QR 'digital passport photo') is not accepted for the driving licence; you need the paper print.
  • The self-service photo terminals for ID cards usually cannot be used for the licence (e.g. Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt). Cologne is an exception.
  • Use a recent photo, ideally taken within the last 3 months: Cologne asks for 3 months at most, Hamburg accepts up to 1 year.
  • Print in colour on good photo paper at high resolution (600 dpi or more), with no creases, stains or marks.
  • No retouching, filters, skin smoothing or background replacement.
  • If you apply by post (e.g. Munich), stick the photo on the form where marked.
  • Applying online? You upload a JPEG instead of handing in a print; check your office's file rules.
  • An International Driving Permit also needs a printed biometric photo.

Print the sheet at 100% (Actual size), never “Fit to page”, on photo paper. Each sheet has a 50 mm ruler so you can check the size.

How to take it at home

  1. Stand about half a metre in front of a plain, light wall, facing a window.
  2. Hold the phone at arm’s length or ask someone to help. The live guide checks distance, light and head position.
  3. Get your digital file and print sheet. Print at 100% or upload the file.

Price

Free to try. From $3.99, paid once, only if you like your photo.

Limited time offer then $6.99 from Jan 1, 2027

Your exact local price is shown before you take your photo.

Photo Acceptance Guarantee — rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.

See all prices

Why people choose Ovalight

Made for the moment you need a photo that just works.

  • Money back if it’s rejected Rejected for a technical reason we check? We refund you.
  • Free to try Take and check your photo for free. You pay once, only when you like the result.
  • Your photo stays on your phone Processed on your device. Never uploaded to our servers.
  • Checked against the official rules Every rule comes from the issuing authority’s own website, last verified on October 8, 2026.
  • Free retakes for 24 hours Not happy with it? Retake the same document up to 3 times within 24 hours.
  • Secure payment, no subscription Pay once through Stripe. We never see your card details.

Official sources

Verified on October 8, 2026

Questions

What size is a Germany Driving Licence Photo?

Printed: 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in). Digital: 895 × 1150 px · up to 3 MB · JPEG.

Can I take my Germany Driving Licence Photo at home?

Yes. The photo is not taken at the office and no registered photographer is required, so a photo you take yourself is accepted when it meets the rules on this page.

What background is required?

Light grey, plain light colour. Plain and shadow-free, with clear contrast to face and hair. With very light hair, a slightly darker grey works better.

Can I smile?

Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking straight into the camera.

Can I wear glasses?

Glasses are allowed if your eyes are clearly visible: no tinted lenses, no reflections, and the frame must not cover your eyes.

Can I wear a head covering?

Not allowed, except for religious reasons; your face must then be visible from chin to forehead with no shadows. Medical exceptions are decided by the licence office.

What about babies and children?

Applicants are at least 15, so the adult rules apply.

Can I print the photo at home?

Yes. Print the sheet at 100% (Actual size) on photo paper, at home or at a pharmacy or kiosk, and check the size with the 50 mm ruler.

More Germany documents

Other documents that use 35×45 mm

Ovalight is an independent service. Only the authority that issues your document decides whether to accept a photo.