ID photo requirements

You must submit a passport-quality photo with your licence application.

The photo you submit for your licence must meet these criteria:

  • A portrait photo with a 4:3 aspect ratio, or 3:4 on a smartphone
  • Full colour
  • Plain, light-coloured background
  • Photo must be less than 6 months old
  • No shadows and/or dark lighting
  • No use of filters
  • No alteration of the original photo (for example, using Photoshop)
  • No sunglasses, glasses with tinted lenses or headwear that obscures your face (unless you wear one for religious or medical reasons)
  • Include your face, head, and shoulders
  • Look straight into the camera
  • Between 50KB to 5MB in size
  • Be in .jpg or .jpeg format

Check that your photo meets the requirements with the online photo checker for New Zealand passports.

Online photo checker(external link) – New Zealand passports