![Good and ugly driver’s license photo.]](https://photoaid.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/good-and-ugly-drivers-license-photos.png)
I hate my driver’s license photo just as much as the one in my passport book. But it took me years of ugly ID pictures to realize why they turned out this way—I always winged it.
Luckily, you can avoid my mistakes and learn how to take a good driver’s license photo by preparing beforehand.
Let’s dive in.
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Dress Comfortably
What to wear for a driver’s license photo to look good? You can practically wear whatever compliments your natural look and contrasts with the light-colored backdrop. If you feel best in firetruck red or blue, both are acceptable.
If I were to give one solid dress code tip from experience, I’d say don’t wear turtlenecks and high-collar button shirts—they might make your neck look thicker than it is.
Here are some extra tips:
- Don’t wear white, as it’ll blend with the background.
- Avoid black if you’re pale—it’ll wash you out even more.
- Opt for pieces in solid colors without writing or busy patterns.
Perfect Your Look with Makeup
Dark circles, blemishes, thin lips, and hooded eyes are all beauty flaws we can fix with makeup. Unfortunately, not everything will look good in a driver’s license photo taken by DMV employees who aren’t exactly professional photographers.
When it comes to driver’s license makeup, go for a simple look:
- Match the foundation to your skin tone, or go one shade darker (especially if you’re naturally pale).
- Use matte or satin-finish products. Shimmers, glosses, and highlighters won’t do well with the flash on camera.
- Cover dark circles with a darker concealer. Depending on the product’s quality, some sheer concealers might look good in daylight, but they turn out patchy when the flash comes out.
- Apply blush on your cheeks to look more lively.
- Avoid heavy contouring, dramatic smokey eyes, false eyelashes, and overdone lipliners. While these can look stunning, they often alter your natural features and may lead to uncomfortable questions when a police officer stops you on your “no makeup” day.
The bottom line is—
Go for the makeup-no-makeup look that enhances your natural beauty. Skip the sparkles and keep your features unchanged.
Tame Your Hair
A good hair day happens when I only step outside to take the trash out. So naturally, when I had to take my driver’s license photo last time, my hair was dry, frizzy, half curly, and half flat—all at once. Now, I always put effort into taming my hair beforehand.
Here’s how:
If you want to keep your hair down, divide it into two equal parts on the sides. I always braid mine for a few hours before the photoshoot.
Take a hairbrush with you to retouch the hair.
Tie the hair in a bun or ponytail if it’s prone to frizziness.
Use hair oil to smoothen kinky hairs and give them a mild but healthy glow.
Ensure the bangs don’t fall on your eyes. Use a small hairpin if it’s too long.
Say “Cheese!”
You don’t want your driver’s license photo to look like a “Florida man” mugshot, do you? Good news—you can smile!
Some states, like Colorado, accept even toothy smiles, while others may be less liberal and ask you to close your mouth.
Now—
If you take your photo at a DMV office, you’ll have only one shot, one opportunity to take a good license picture. So, here’s my tip: Practice at home.
Take a few selfies or ask a family member to photograph you with different smiles and see which is the most flattering. You can even have the best photo with you and recreate it at the office.
Does your state allow driver’s license photos taken at home? If so, you can take the perfect driver’s license photo with our editor (PhotoAiD® for iOS or PhotoAiD® for Android) in a few taps. Simply select “Photo 2×2 inches” from the available documents, and leave a note to let our experts know the picture is for a driver’s license—we’ll take it from there.
You can also do it in the browser. Simply upload your self-portrait using the button below.
FAQ
Can you take your own driver’s license photo?
Driver’s license photo rules differ depending on the state—some accept a license picture taken at home, while others require you to do it at a DMV office. It’s best to check your local regulations before taking a photo.
If you can take your driver’s license picture yourself, try our photo editor: PhotoAiD® for iOS or PhotoAiD® for Android.
Can you wear earrings in driver’s license photos?
Earrings and other jewellery are allowed in license photos. However, they shouldn’t be too big or flashy, like over-sized hoops or sparkly sets.
Can you wear glasses in your driver’s license picture?
If you wear prescription glasses when driving, you must wear them for a driver’s license photo. In other cases, the decision is yours. Just be sure that your frames don’t cover your eyes or cast shadows, your lenses aren’t tinted, and there’s no glare on the lenses.
Can you show teeth in driver’s license photos?
Smiling is generally allowed in all driver’s license photos, but toothy smiles are accepted only in certain states.
What color to wear for a driver’s license photo?
The best color to wear for a driver’s license photo is one that compliments your natural skin and eye color and doesn’t blend with the background. Avoid white and wear a solid, darker color.
Can you wear a headband in a driver’s license photo?
You can’t wear any head coverings, including headbands, for driver’s license pictures. Headgear is allowed only for medical or religious purposes.
Sources:
- https://dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/drivers_license/secureID/index.shtml
- https://dmv.colorado.gov/press-release/say-cheese-coloradans-can-now-smile-for-driver-license-photos
- https://www.lorealparisusa.com/beauty-magazine/makeup/makeup-looks/prevent-makeup-flashback
Sylwia is a skilled writer with a BA in English Studies and an active SPJ member. For nearly three years now, she’s been writing captivating articles for international companies, turning her lifelong passion into a career.
