The Photo For Your Driving Licence | Nidirect

The photo for your driving licence

When you apply for a photocard driving licence in Northern Ireland, in most cases you'll need to provide a photograph which must follow specific rules. It may also need to be certified (signed) depending on the type of identification that you're using to apply for your licence.

When a photo is needed

You must provide a recent passport type photograph that's in colour if you're applying for:

• a provisional driving licence
• a renewal of your driving licence
• an optional renewal of your driving licence
• an exchange of your licence from another country*

* You will also need to provide proof of residency - there's further information about how to do this at the link below:

• Providing proof of identity for a driving licence

When you don't need a photo

You don't need to provide a photo if the reason you're applying for a licence is:

• a change of name and/ or address
• a duplicate (this is a copy of your existing licence)

To find out how to change your name and/ or address on your driving licence, go to:

• Keeping your driving licence up-to-date

If you need a duplicate of your driving licence, you'll need to apply to replace it.

If, however, your appearance has changed significantly, you'll need to apply for an optional renewal, and for that you'll need to provide a new photograph. To do this, you need to renew your driving licence.

The type of photo you need to send

Some driving licence applications are:

• done online and therefore need a digital photo, while others are
• on forms that you need to fill in and post together with a printed photo

Digital photos and printed photos have different guidelines. The table below shows which photo guidelines you need to follow.

Type of licence	Can you apply online and upload a digital photo?	Can you apply by post and use a printed photo?
Renew your driving licence	Yes	Yes
Optional renewal of your driving licence	Yes, by renewing your driving licence online	Yes, by renewing your driving licence
Provisional driving licence	Yes, by applying for your provisional driving licence online	Yes
An exchange of your licence from another country	No	Yes

Guidelines for digital photos

Use the following guidelines for digital photos. If your photo doesn’t meet the rules, your application may be returned to you.

You can:

• use an existing digital photo if it meets the digital photo rules below
• get a friend to take a digital photo of you
• not continue if you are unable to upload a digital photo or enter a photo code - the photo code service is available at the locations below and you will be charged a fee for using this service

Photo codes

Photo code services are available throughout Northern Ireland where you can buy a passport style photo and a photo code. You can upload the photo code with your application which allows the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) to download your photograph directly.

The photo codes service is available at the locations below. You will be charged a fee for using this service.

County Antrim outlets

There are 72 outlets offering the photo code service.

Location	Address
Antrim	Gordons Chemists, Units 34-35, Castle Mall Shopping Centre, BT41 4DN
Antrim	Max Spielmann/ Timpson Ltd, c/ o Asda, 150 Junction One, BT41 4GY
Antrim	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Castle Way, BT41 4BU
Ballyclare	The Office, 81-83 Main Street, Ballyclare, BT39 9AA
Ballymena	Snappy Snaps, 57a Tower Centre, Wellington Street, BT43 6AB
Ballymena	Woodsides Pharmacy, 38-42 Church Street, BT43 6DF
Ballymena	Gordons Health and Beauty, Unit 21, 29-41 Ballymoney Street, BT43 6AL
Ballymena	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Main Street, BT29 4UP
Ballymoney	Gordons Chemists, 9 Main Street, BT53 6AN
Ballymoney	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Castle Street, BT53 7JT
Cloughmills	Cloughmills Pharmacy, 58 Mill Street, BT44 9LF
Craigavon	Maghaberry Pharmacy, Unit 3, 21 Maghaberry Road, Moira, BT67 0JF
Crumlin	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Main Street, BT29 4UP
Belfast	Balmoral Pharmacy, 88 Upper Lisburn Road, BT10 0BA
Belfast	Castlereagh Pharmacy, 339 Castlereagh Road, BT5 6AB
Belfast	Collinward Pharmacy, 2-4 Glengormley Park, BT36 7RE
Belfast	Crilly Chemist, 11 Springfield Road, BT12 7AB
Belfast	Doherty’s Pharmacy, 11f Andersonstown Road, BT11 9BT
Belfast	Maguire Chemist, 3 Beechmount Avenue, BT12 7NA
Belfast	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, 405 Antrim Road, BT15 3BG
Belfast	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, 2 Ballygomartin Road, BT13 3LD
Belfast	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, 200 Castlereagh Road, BT5 5FT
Belfast	Max Photobooth, c/ o 369 Lisburn Road, BT9 7EP
Belfast	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, 150 York Street, BT15 1WA
Belfast	McGrath’s Pharmacy, 91-93 Glen Road, BT11 8BD
Belfast	McGregor Chemist, 30 Botanic Avenue, BT7 1JA
Belfast	McKeevers Chemists, 34 Springfield Road, BT12 7AG
Belfast	Medicare Crumlin, 42 Main Street, Crumlin, BT29 4UR
Belfast	Medicare Dundonald, 967 Newtownards Road, BT16 1RL
Belfast	Medicare, Forestside Shopping Centre, 16 Upper Galwally, BT8 6FX
Belfast	Medicare King’s Square, BT5 7EA
Belfast	NI Technology, Merrion Business Centre, BT1 6PJ
Belfast	Timpson Ltd, Unit 20B Castle Court Shopping Centre, BT1 1ED
Belfast	Snappy Snaps, 37 High Street, BT1 2AB
Belfast	Dundela Pharmacy, 17-19 Belmont Road, BT4 2AA
Belfast	Gordons Chemists, 15-17 Cornmarket, BT1 4DA
Belfast	Gordons Chemists, 167-169 Shankill Road, BT13 1FP
Belfast	Gordons Chemists, 170 Sandy Row, BT12 5EY
Belfast	Gordons Chemists, 187 Albertbridge Road, BT5 4PS
Belfast	Gordons Chemists, 35 Castlereagh Road, BT5 5FB
Belfast	Gordons Chemists. 13 Greenway, BT6 0DT
Belfast	Gordons Chemists, 68 Main Street, BT57 8QD
Belfast	Kennedy Centre Post Office, Falls Road, BT11 9AE
Belfast	Lockview Pharmacy, 3 Lockiew Road, BT9 5FH
Belfast	Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, Unit 1 Westwood Centre, Kennedy Way, BT11 9BQ
Belfast	Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, 219 Shore Road, BT15 3PR
Belfast	McAreavey Pharmacy, 505-507 Falls Road, BT12 6DE
Belfast	Oriel Pharmacy Ltd, 363 Ormeau Road, BT7 3GP
Belfast	Spar, Unit 1, Enler Centre, Craigleith Drive, Ballybeen, BT9 GGH
Belfast	Urban Pharmacy, 56 Dublin Road, BT2 7HN
Carrickfergus	Medicare Carrick, 16-18 High Street, BT38 7AF
Carrickfergus	Tesco Extra, Minorca Place, BT38 8AU
Dundonald	Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, 1009 Upper Newtonards Road, BT16 1RN
Dunmurry	Cooper and Anglin Ltd, Unit 11-12 Dairy Farm Centre, BT17 0AW
Dunmurry	Irwin’s Medical Hall, 10 Rowan Drive, Seymour Hill, BT17 9PX
Dunmurry	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Kingsway Shopping Centre, BT17 9NP
Larne	Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, 1 Redlands Road, BT40 1AX
Lisburn	Gordons Chemists, 164 Longstone Street, BT28 1TT
Lisburn	Medicare, Warnocks, 8 Market Lane, BT28 1YG
Lisburn	Pond Park Pharmacy, 2A Ballymacash Road, BT28 3NR
Lisburn	Timpson Ltd, Unit B38 Bow Street Mall, BT28 1AW
Lisburn	Snappy Snaps, 10 Market Square North, BT28 1AG
Lisburn	Gordons Chemists, 54-56 Bow Street, BT28 1BN
Portglenone	Bannside Pharmacy Ltd, 77 Main Street, BT44 8HR
Newtownabbey	Gordons Chemists, 32 The Diamond, BT37 98J
Newtownabbey	Max Spielmann, c/ o Abbeycentre, Longwood Road, BT37 9UH
Newtownabbey	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Abbey Retail Park, Church Road, BT36 7GU
Newtownabbey	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Ballyclare Road, BT36 5HH
Newtownabbey	Medicare, Unit 12-13 Northcott Shopping Centre, Ballyclare Road, BT36 6EA
Newtownbreda	Max Spielmann, c/ o Tesco 170 Newtownbreda Road, BT8 6PZ
Portrush	Campbell's Pharmacy, 8-9 Dunluce Street, BT56 8DN
Portrush	Gordons Chemists, 5 Main Street, BT56 8BL
Randalstown	Randalstown Pharmacy, 46 Main Street, BT41 3AB
Rasharkin	Kennedy’s Pharmacy, 56 Main Street, BT44 8PX

County Down outlets

There are 55 outlets offering the photo code service.

Location	Address
Ballynahinch	Ballynahinch Post Office, 16 Lisburn Street, BT24 8WY
Ballynahinch	Gordons Chemists, 33 High Street, BT24 8AB
Ballynahinch	Hannawins Medical Hall, 23 Main Street, BT24 7AA
Banbridge	Gordons Chemists, 19 Newry Street, BT32 3EA
Banbridge	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, 25a Castlewellan Road, BT32 4AX
Bangor	Abbey Pharmacy, 82 Abbey Street, BT20 4JB
Bangor	Timpson Ltd, 12B Bloomfield Shopping Centre, BT19 7HB
Bangor	Gordons Chemists, Springhill Shopping Centre, BT19 1ND
Bangor	Gordons Chemists, Unit 4 Ashbury Shopping Centre, BT19 6TH
Bangor	JT's Kodak Express Bangor, 65a Main Street, BT20 5AF
Bangor	Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, 2 Market Lane, BT20 4SD
Bangor	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, South Circular Road, BT19 7HB
Bangor	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Killeen Avenue, BT19 1ND
Castlewellan	McKeevers Chemists, 13 Main Street, BT31 9DF
Comber	Comber Pharmacy, 4 The Square, BT23 5DT
Donaghadee	Gordons Chemists, 23 New Street, BT21 OAG
Downpatrick	Gordons Chemists, 33-37 Market Street, BT30 6LP
Downpatrick	Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, Ballydugan Retail Park, Ballydugan Road, BT30 6AJ
Downpatrick	Strangford Pharmacy, 5-7 Downpatrick Road, BT30 7L2
Dromore	Johnston’s Pharmacy, 4-6 Gallows Street, BT25 1BG
Dundrum	Groves Chemists, 165-167 Main Street, BT33 0LY
Hilltown	Hilltown Pharmacy, 4-6 Rathfriland, BT34 5UR
Holywood	Burns Pharmacy, 100 Abbey Ring, BT18 9PF
Kilkeel	Gordons Chemists, 57 Newcastle Street, BT34 4BH
Kilkeel	Gordons Chemists, 26 Greencastle Street, BT34 4BH
Killough	Killough Pharmacy, 37 Castle Street, BT30 7QQ
Killyleagh	Gabbies Pharmacy, 16 High Street, BT30 9QF
Kircubbin	McKeevers Chemists, 38-40 Main Street, BT22 2SP
Knocknagoney	Timpson Ltd, c/ o Tesco, Knocknagoney Road, BT4 2PW
Lisburn	Gordons Chemists, 54-56 Bow Street, BT28 1BN
Lisburn	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Bentrim Road, BT28 2GB
Mayobridge	Mayobridge Pharmacy, 2 Ballyvalley Road, BT34 2ES
Newcastle	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, 21 Castlewellan Road, BT33 0GW
Newcastle	Gordons Chemists, 16 Railway Street, BT33 0AL
Newcastle	McKeevers Chemists, 5-7 Main Street, BT33 0AD
Newry	Camlough Pharmacy, 32 Main Street, BT35 7JG
Newry	Dineen Office Supplies, 8 John Mitchel Place, BT34 2BP
Newry	DOCSOL, 7 Monaghan Street, BT35 6BB
Newry	Gordons Chemists, 9 Sugar Island, BT35 6HT
Newry	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, 24 Downshire Road, BT34 1EE
Newry	McCartan’s Pharmacy, Unit 5, 99 Armagh Road, BT35 6PW
Newry	McKeevers Chemists, 11 Marcus Square, BT34 1AE
Newry	McKeevers Chemists, 53-55 Mill Street, BT34 1AJ
Newtownards	Gordons Chemists, 2a Regent Street, BT23 4LH
Newtownards	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Castlebawn Road, BT23 8NN
Newtownards	Photo Monkey, 1 Conway Square, BT23 4DA
Poyntzpass	Northern Pharmacies, 1-3 Railway Street, BT35 6SN
Rathfriland	Gordons Chemists, 16 Main Street, BT34 5PS
Rostrevor	McKeevers Chemists, 16 Bridge Street, BT34 3BG
Saintfield	Gordons Chemists, 59 Main Street, BT24 7AB
Saintfield	Gordons Chemists, 5 Main Street, BT24 7AA
Warrenpoint	Gordons Chemists, 11 Church Street, BT34 3HN

County Armagh

There are 21 outlets offering the photo code service.

Location	Address
Armagh	Dougans Chemist, 33-37 Ogle Street, BT61 7EW
Armagh	Emersons Supermarket, 55-57 Scotch Street, BT61 7DF
Armagh	Gordons Chemists, 27-29 Scotch Street, BT61 7DD
Armagh	McKeevers Chemists, 63-65 Thomas Street, BT61 7QB
Armagh	McKeevers Chemists, 140 Railway Street, BT61 7HP
Armagh	Partridge MPS, 15-17 Upper English Street, BT61 7BH
Craigavon	Brownlee Health Centre, Legahory, BT65 6BE
Craigavon	Max Spielmann/ Timpson Ltd c/ o Tesco Highfield Road, BT64 1AG
Craigavon	Northern Pharmacies, Brownlow Health Centre, Legahory, BT65 5BE
Craigavon	Penrhyn Photography Ltd, 25 Bridge Street, BT62 4BT
Keady	McKeevers Chemists, 20 Davis Street, BT60 3RS
Lurgan	Gordons Chemists, 10 Market Street, BT66 6AQ
Lurgan	Partridge MPS, 36 High Street, BT66 8AU
Middletown	Middletown Post Office, 7 Main Street, BT60 4JF
Newry	Gordons Chemists, 9 Sugar Island, BT35 6HT
Newry	McKeevers Chemists, 4 Monaghan Street, BT35 6AA
Portadown	Anderson Chemist, 92 Thomas Street, BT62 3AG
Portadown	Gordons Chemists, 4-5 High Street Mall, BT62 1HX
Portadown	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Meadows Lane, BT62 3TN
Portadown	Max Spielmann/ Timpson Ltd, c/ o Asda, Bridge Street, BT63 5AQ
Portadown	Portadown Post Office, 23 West Street, BT30 3PL

County Londonderry

There are 25 outlets offering the photo code service.

Location	Address
Bellaghy	Bellaghy Pharmacy, 20 Main Street, BT45 8HT
Castledawson	McKeevers Chemists, 3 -17 Main Street, BT45 8AA
Coleraine	Gordons Chemist, 8 New Row, BT52 1AF
Coleraine	Gordons Chemists, 4 The Diamond, BT52 1DF
Coleraine	Gordons Chemists, 6 New Row, BT52 1AF
Coleraine	Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, Superstore 1, Ring Road, BT52 1QP
Coleraine	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, 2 Banfield Road, BT52 1HU
Coleraine	Smyths Country Sports, 1 Park Street, BT52 1BD
Coleraine	Timpson Ltd, Unit 12 Diamond Centre, BT52 1DT
Coleraine	Snappy Snaps, 7 Kingsgate Street, BT52 1LB
Kilrea	McCloy Chemist, 1 Maghera Street, BT51 5QL
Limavady	Gordons Chemists, Unit 2, 57-61 Main Street, BT49 0EP
Londonderry	Belmont Pharmacy, Unit 7 Davinci’s Complex, Culmore Road, BT48 8JB
Londonderry	Gordons Chemists, 3a-3b Strand Road, BT48 7BH
Londonderry	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Quayside Centre, Strand Road, BT48 7PX
Londonderry	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Main Street, BT49 0ET
Londonderry	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, 164 Coleraine Road, BT55 7PL
Londonderry	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Ballyronan Road, BT45 6BP
Londonderry	Murphy’s Chemist, 165 Spencer Road, BT47 1AH
Londonderry	Timpson Ltd Unit 1A, Level 4 Foyleside Shopping Centre, BT48 6XY
Londonderry	The Village Pharmacy, 3-4 Northside Village, Centregallagh Road, BT47 8NN
Maghera	Glass Chemist, 88 Main Street, BT46 5AF
Magherafelt	McGlaughlins Pharmacy, 38 Rainey Street, BT45 5AQ
Magherafelt	O'Brien's Pharmacy, 5 Broad Street, BT45 6EB
Magherafelt	Timpson Ltd, Unit 24 Meadows Shopping Centre, BT45 6PR

County Tyrone

There are 30 outlets offering the photo code service.

Location	Address
Aughnacloy	McKeevers Chemists, 67-69 Moore Street, BT69 6AR
Ballygawley	O’Neill Ltd, 30 Main Street, BT70 2HE
Castlederg	Bradleys Pharmacy, 3 John Street, BT81 7AW
Castlederg	Corrys Chemists, 13-14 The Diamond, BT81 7AR
Castlederg	Donaghy Chemist, 9 Lower Strabane Road, BT81 7HZ
Clougher	Valley Pharmacy, 7 Main Street, VT76 0AA
Coalisland	Dormans Healthcare, 6a Lineside, BT71 4LP
Cookstown	Coagh Pharmacy, 11 Main Street, Coagh, BT80 0EN
Cookstown	Falls Pharmacy, 56 William Street, BT80 8NB
Cookstown	Gordons Chemists, 6-10 Oldtown Street, BT80 8EF
Cookstown	Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, Sweep Road, BT80 8JR
Cookstown	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, Orritor Road, Nenagh, BT80 8BH
Dromore	Bradley’s Pharmacy, 8 Dromore Road, BT78 3AJ
Dungannon	Gordons Chemists, 14 Scotch Street, BT70 1AR
Dungannon	Gordons Chemists, Unit 1 Belvedere Park, Gortmerron Link, BT71 6LS
Dungannon	Medicare, 50 Newell Road, BT70 1EG
Dungannon	Medicare Medichem, Castle Court, Thomas Street, BT70 1HJ
Dungannon	Timpson Ltd, c/ o Tesco, Beech Valley, BT71 7BN
Fintona	Fintona Medical Hall Ltd, 90-92 Main Street, BT78 2AE
Fivemiletown	Fivemiletown Pharmacy, 96-98 Main Street, BT75 0PW
Moy	Gordons Chemists, 1 Killyman Street, BT71 7SJ
Moy	McKeevers Chemists, 20 Charlemont Street, BT71 7SL
Omagh	Bradley’s Pharmacy, Unit 11, Dromore Retail Park, Dromore Road, BT78 1RE
Omagh	Corrys Chemists, 37 Main Steet, Gortin, BT79 8PQ
Omagh	Gordons Chemists, 30 Market Street, BT78 1EH
Omagh	Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, 31 Dromore Road, BT78 1QZ
Strabane	Colhoun Chemist, 11 Castle Street, BT82 8AF
Strabane	Magir Ltd, 67 Main Street, BT82 8AF
Strabane	Max Photobooth, c/ o Asda, Railway Road, BT82 8EQ
Strabane	Medicare Mourne Pharmacy, 6A Melmount Road, BT82 9BD

County Fermanagh

There are 11 outlets offering the photo code service.

Location	Address
Ballinamallard	Village Pharmacy, 59 Main Street, BT94 2FZ
Clougher	Valley Pharmacy, 7 Main Street, BT76 0AA
Derrylin	Derrylin Pharmacy, 91 Main Street, BT92 9PD
Enniskillen	Corrys Chemists, 15 Darling Street, BT74 7DP
Enniskillen	Enniskillen Photoshop, 5 Regal Pass, BT74 7NT
Enniskillen	Gordons Chemists, 18 High Street, BT74 7EH
Enniskillen	Max Photobooth, c/ o Tesco, 11 Dublin Road, BT74 6JF
Enniskillen	Max Spielmann/ Timpson Ltd, c/ o Asda, Derrychara Road, BT74 6JG
Irvinestown	The Medical Hall, 6 Main Street, BT94 1GS
Irvinestown	PillBox Pharmacy, 24 Church Street, BT94 1EH
Lisbellaw	Lisbellaw Pharmacy, 2-4 Main Street, Lisbellaw, BT94 5ER

Digital photo rules:

• your photo must look like you and must have been taken in the last month
• use a plain light-coloured background with no patterns or textures and don't have objects behind you
• no shadows on your face or behind you - it's best to use natural sunlight, for example facing a window
• stand 0.5 metres (1.5 feet) away from your background (this helps to stop shadows appearing)
• the person taking the photo should stand 1.5 metres (5 feet) from you
• include your head, shoulders and upper body in the photo and look straight at the camera
• have a plain expression so don't smile or frown - eyes open and mouth closed
• eyes fully visible, hair away from your face and eyes
• take your glasses off if you can - if you need to keep your glasses on, your eyes must be visible without any glare or reflections
• no sunglasses or tinted glasses
• no headwear unless it's for religious or medical reasons
• don't crop your photo - it will be done for you

The pictures below help to explain which photos follow the rules and shows those that don't. The following video also explains how to take a good digital photo:

• How to take a digital photo (same rules as digital passport photos)

Guidelines for printed photos that are posted

The photo must be:

• printed to a high quality, such as photos printed by a booth or studio (photographs printed at home are unlikely to be of a high enough quality)
• taken within the last month, a true likeness of you and of your full head
• in colour, not black and white, against a light grey or cream background
• 45mm high x 35mm wide (however, don't trim your photographs to meet this condition)
• taken so that your eyes can be positioned in the area marked by the shaded band (see diagram below)

• clear, in sharp focus, free from ‘red eye’ and with no shadow in it
• free of any reflection or glare from glasses (where possible, remove your glasses to avoid the possibility of rejection)
• of you on your own
• in good condition, not damaged, creased, torn or marked

You must:

• face forward and look straight into the camera with your eyes open and nothing covering your face
• look natural with no facial expressions, for example, smiling, grinning or frowning
• have nothing covering your eyes, for example, hair or glasses frame
• not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses
• not wear a hat or cover your head unless for medical or religious reasons

Having your photograph certified

This section only applies to printed photos that are posted together with driving licence application forms. (Therefore it does not apply to digital photos.)If you’re providing identity documents other than an up-to-date United Kingdom (UK) or other European Economic Area (EEA) passport, an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status) or UK travel document, you must get an authorised person to sign the back of your photo.

• Having your photo certified for a driving licence

More useful links

• Getting your driving licence back after disqualification

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