Indian Driving License Photo Requirements 2026 (RTO, Sarathi, Parivahan)
May 7, 2026 · 9 min read
The Indian driving license photo follows the same general 35x45 mm format used across most government documents in India, but the RTO (Regional Transport Office) has specific rules that differ from passport applications. This guide covers exactly what is required for both learner and permanent driving license applications in 2026, including the online portal upload constraints that trip up most applicants.
Quick summary
- Size: 35x45 mm (most common across all states)
- Background: plain white, no patterns, no shadows
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed, looking at camera
- Glasses: not allowed
- File size for online upload: 20-50 KB (Sarathi/Parivahan portals)
- File format: JPG only, sometimes JPEG
- Age: photo must be taken within the last 6 months
- Issued by: Regional Transport Office (RTO) under Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Why driving license photos are different from passport photos
Most Indian applicants assume that a passport photo and a driving license photo are interchangeable. They are not. The dimensions and background are similar, but three things differ:
- File size constraints. The Sarathi and Parivahan online portals enforce a 20-50 KB cap. Passport portals allow files up to 240 KB. A passport photo file is typically too large for the RTO upload.
- Background flexibility. Passport requires pure white. Some state RTOs accept off-white or very light beige backgrounds. White is always safe.
- Photo currency. RTO officers compare your appearance during the in-office verification step. A 2-year-old passport photo can fail this check even if it technically meets specifications.
Detailed specifications
Size and dimensions
The standard Indian driving license photo is 35x45 mm. In pixels at 300 DPI, this is approximately 413 x 531 pixels. The face from chin to crown should occupy 32-36 mm of the vertical frame (about 70-80% of the photo height).
A few states (notably Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in some districts) accept 51x51 mm photos at the in-office verification step, but the online portals across all states default to the 35x45 mm format.
Background color
Plain white is the safest choice and is accepted by every RTO. Pure white in RGB terms means 255-255-255 ± a small delta. Off-white or beige can be rejected by the automated background check on the Sarathi portal, even if it visually looks white.
File size and format
The Sarathi and Parivahan portals require:
- JPG format only (some states also accept JPEG)
- File size between 20 KB and 50 KB
- Resolution at least 600x600 pixels (some states require 800x800)
A modern phone shoots at 4-8 MB by default, so the file must be compressed before upload. Rough rule: target JPEG quality 75-85% to land in the 20-50 KB range at the right pixel dimensions.
The online application flow (Sarathi / Parivahan)
Indian driving license applications now go through one of two unified portals depending on the state:
- Sarathi (sarathi.parivahan.gov.in) - the central portal used for most states. Photo upload happens at the document submission step after Aadhaar eKYC.
- State RTO portals - states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi run their own portals that connect to Parivahan in the backend. The photo upload step is similar but the file size limits sometimes vary by 5-10 KB.
Both portals reject the upload if the file size is wrong, the dimensions are wrong, or the background fails their automated check. There is usually no specific error message - just a generic "Upload failed, retry" message that does not tell you what specifically went wrong.
Common rejection reasons (top 5 reported by Indian RTOs)
- File too large. Solution: compress to JPEG quality 75-80% at exactly 600x600 px or 413x531 px.
- Background not pure white. Solution: use a free tool that replaces the background with pure white (255-255-255) instead of trying to photograph against an off-white wall.
- Glasses on. Solution: remove for the photo even if you wear them daily.
- Photo too dark or shadowed. Solution: face a window for natural diffused light, no direct sun, no overhead bulbs.
- Old photo from passport that no longer matches your appearance. Solution: retake fresh - a 6-month-old phone photo costs nothing.
DIY at home: the cheapest path
Most Indian applicants overpay at the photo studio. The math:
- Photo studio for driving license set: Rs 100-200 (6-8 copies, often rejected once at RTO)
- Online tool + home print or kiosk print: Rs 30-50 total
- Online tool + direct upload (no print needed for online application): Rs 0
Process at home:
- Stand 2-3 feet from a plain white wall.
- Face a window for natural light, no direct sun.
- Take 8-10 photos with any phone from the last 5 years. Pick the most neutral expression.
- Use the free Indian driving license photo tool which auto-crops to 35x45 mm, validates the white background, and outputs at the correct file size for Sarathi/Parivahan upload.
- Upload directly to the RTO portal, or print at any Indian photo lab for Rs 20-40.
Driving license vs other Indian documents
| Document | Size | File size | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving License | 35x45 mm | 20-50 KB | Plain white |
| Passport | 51x51 mm | 10-100 KB | Plain white |
| Voter ID | 35x45 mm | 10-100 KB | Plain white |
| PAN Card | 25x35 mm | 10-300 KB | Plain white |
| PCC | 35x45 mm or 51x51 mm | 20-300 KB | Plain white |
| Aadhaar | Captured at center | N/A | Captured at center |
One photo set at 35x45 mm with the right file size works for driving license, voter ID, and PCC simultaneously. The only document with a meaningfully different format is the passport (51x51 mm) and PAN card (25x35 mm).
State-specific notes
Most states follow the central Sarathi/Parivahan rules. A few have additional steps:
- Maharashtra: the state RTO portal sometimes requires a slightly larger file (up to 60 KB). Always start with 50 KB to be safe.
- Karnataka: some districts accept 51x51 mm at the in-office step but online upload still requires 35x45 mm.
- Tamil Nadu: the in-office verification photo can sometimes be re-taken on the spot if the upload looks dated.
- Delhi: the Delhi RTO portal is generally most strict on background color and lighting. Plan for a re-upload.
- Andhra Pradesh / Telangana: use the unified state portal which has stricter file size limits (20-30 KB).
FAQ
What size is an Indian driving license photo?
The standard size is 35x45 mm with a plain white background. Some states accept 51x51 mm at in-office verification, but online portals (Sarathi/Parivahan) require 35x45 mm.
What file size is required for online RTO upload?
Most portals require 20-50 KB in JPG format. Some state portals cap at 30 KB.
Can I wear glasses?
No. Glasses are not permitted in driving license photos as of the current Ministry of Road Transport and Highways guidelines.
Does the photo need to be the same as my passport photo?
The format is similar (35x45 mm, white background) but the file size and currency differ. RTO officers compare your appearance during in-office verification, so a recent photo is safer than an old passport one.
Are smiles allowed?
No. Mouth closed, neutral expression. RTO can reject photos with slight smiles.
Can I use the same photo for learner license and permanent license?
Yes, if the photo is taken within the last 6 months and your appearance has not changed.
What about Aadhaar photos?
Aadhaar photos are not directly accepted for driving license applications. The Aadhaar eKYC flow only auto-fills your name and address - the photo upload is a separate step.
Where can I print the photo cheaply in India?
Local photo studios print 35x45 mm photos for Rs 20-40 for 6-8 copies. Supermarket photo kiosks (DMart, Reliance) charge Rs 30-50. Online printing (Snapfish, Picsart Studio) costs Rs 50-100 with delivery.
Need a Sarathi/Parivahan compliant Indian driving license photo? Crop yours to the exact 35x45 mm spec for free - runs in your browser, auto-validates the white background, and outputs at the correct file size for online RTO upload. No signup, no watermark.
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