Strict Enforcement of Korean Driver’s License Photo Requirements in 2026
Starting March 1, 2026, passport-style photo requirements will be applied more strictly when applying for a new Korean driver’s license or renewing an existing license. In the past, some photos were accepted as long as the overall dimensions were correct. Under the updated requirements, officials may closely check the size of the face, eyebrow visibility, head position, background color, and other details. A photo that does not meet the requirements may be rejected at a driver’s license examination office or police station, so applicants should inspect their photos before visiting.
Photo Requirements Under Korean Law
Article 57, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 1 of the Enforcement Rules of the Road Traffic Act provides requirements for photos submitted with a driver’s license application. The photo must have been taken within six months of the application date. It must be a color upper-body photo taken without a hat and against a plain background. The required photo size is 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm high, and three copies should be prepared.
How to Check the Photo Dimensions
The standard driver’s license photo size is 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm high. This is the same size as a standard Korean passport photo, so you can ask a photo studio to take a driver’s license photo or passport photo. Photos that are larger or smaller than the required dimensions may not be accepted. A manually trimmed photo may also be rejected if its width and height are not exact.
Face Size Measurement Requirements
The distance from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin should be between 3.2 cm and 3.6 cm. If the face appears too small, it may be difficult to verify the applicant’s identity. If the face appears too large, part of the hair or chin may be cut off. After taking the photo, check that the face is positioned in the center and that both the top of the head and the chin are fully visible inside the photo.
Six-Month Photo Validity Period
The submitted photo must have been taken within six months of the driver’s license application date. Even if you have unused identification photos at home, you should take a new photo if they are more than six months old. A photo previously used for another driver’s license or identification card may be considered outdated. A photo that looks significantly different from your current appearance may also be rejected.
Eyebrow and Hair Visibility Requirements
Eyebrow Visibility
At least 70% of each eyebrow should be visible in a Korean driver’s license photo. If you have long bangs or hair covering your eyebrows, move the hair to the side before taking the photo so that the outlines and shapes of your eyebrows can be seen. If one eyebrow is fully visible, at least half of the other eyebrow should be visible. A photo may be rejected if only a small part of an eyebrow is faintly visible through the hair.
Hair Covering the Face
Both ears do not necessarily have to be visible. Hair may cover the ears as long as the outline of the face can be clearly identified. However, a photo cannot be used if the hair covers the cheeks, cheekbones, or jawline and makes the facial shape difficult to recognize. People with long hair should place it behind the ears or over the shoulders so that both cheeks and the jawline are visible.
Background and Clothing Requirements
Acceptable Background Colors
The background should be white or a very light off-white color. Clearly colored backgrounds, such as gray or blue, may not be accepted. Photos with wallpaper patterns, objects, visible shadows, stains, or boundary lines in the background may also be rejected. Problems may also arise if there are visible signs that the background has been digitally edited.
Choosing Suitable Clothing
Wearing a white top against a white background may make the shoulders and clothing difficult to distinguish. It is better to wear clothing in a color that contrasts with the background so that the face and upper body are clearly visible. Avoid high-necked clothing, turtlenecks, scarves, or other items that may cover the jawline. Large letters or colorful patterns on clothing do not normally determine whether a photo is accepted, but simple and neat clothing is generally recommended.
Head Position and Facial Expression Requirements
Facing the Camera
The face should be directed straight toward the camera. Photos in which the head is turned to one side or tilted may not be accepted. Raising or lowering the chin too much may also make the photo unsuitable as a front-facing identification photo. Both eyes should appear at approximately the same height, and the nose and mouth should be positioned near the center of the photo.
Facial Expression and Eye Direction
It is best to keep the mouth naturally closed. A photo showing a large smile with visible teeth or an excessively altered facial expression may make identity verification difficult. Photos with closed eyes or eyes looking away from the camera cannot be used. The applicant should look directly into the camera lens.
Glasses and Contact Lens Requirements
Reflections on Glasses
Regular prescription glasses may be worn, but the photo may be rejected if the frame covers the eyes or if light reflections on the lenses make the pupils difficult to see. If thick frames cover a large part of the eyebrows or eye area, it is better to remove the glasses before taking the photo. Tinted glasses and sunglasses that hide the eyes are not allowed.
Colored Contact Lenses
Colored contact lenses or circle lenses may be accepted if they do not significantly change the natural appearance of the eyes. However, lenses that substantially change the color or size of the pupils should be avoided. Both eyes and the position of the pupils should be clearly visible, so lenses that may interfere with identity verification should not be worn.
Hats and Hair Accessories
A Korean driver’s license photo should be taken without a hat. Applicants should avoid baseball caps, beanies, and other accessories that cover the head or face. Headbands or large hair accessories may not be accepted if they cover the facial outline or make it difficult to identify the shape of the head. When the head is covered for religious reasons, the entire face should still be clearly visible.
Photo Retouching and Background Editing
Restrictions on Facial Retouching
Copied photos or photos that have been excessively altered with Photoshop or similar software cannot be used. Changing the shape of the face, enlarging the eyes, altering the nose or mouth, completely removing moles or scars, or applying excessive skin retouching may make the photo unsuitable for identity verification. A photo studio may make minor adjustments to brightness or color, but the applicant’s actual appearance should not be changed.
Restrictions on Background Editing
A photo taken at home or outdoors and edited to replace the original background with a white background may show visible signs of editing. The photo may be rejected if the hair appears unnaturally cut out or if a white outline appears around the face. It is better not to use mobile applications that remove the original background or combine the subject with another background.
Photo Paper and Printing Requirements
A Korean driver’s license photo should be a color photo printed on proper photographic paper. Photos printed on regular copy paper, photos printed with a home color printer, and copies of existing photos may not be accepted. A low-resolution photo in which the face appears blurry or a photo with smeared ink may also be rejected. Check that the photo surface does not have stains, folds, scratches, or other damage.
Number of Photos to Prepare
Under the Enforcement Rules of the Road Traffic Act, the stated number of photos is three. When visiting an office for a new driver’s license or another related application, prepare the required number of identical photos. The actual number submitted may vary depending on the type of application or the place of submission, so bringing extra copies may help prevent an additional visit.
Common Reasons for Photo Rejection
Photos commonly rejected at the application counter include photos taken more than six months ago, photos in which the bangs cover most of both eyebrows, and photos in which the hair covers the cheeks or cheekbones. A photo may also be rejected if the head is tilted, a shadow appears on the background, or light is reflected from the glasses. Other possible reasons include an incorrect face size, printing on regular paper, and excessive retouching of the skin or facial shape.
What to Say at a Photo Studio
At the photo studio, you can say, “Please take the photo according to the Korean driver’s license photo requirements that apply from March 1, 2026.” Ask the photographer to use the 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm dimensions and set the distance from the top of the head to the chin between 3.2 cm and 3.6 cm. You can also ask the photographer to make sure that both eyebrows are sufficiently visible and that the hair does not cover the cheeks or jawline.
What to Check After Taking the Photo
After receiving the photos, do not check only the size and background color. Make sure both eyebrows are sufficiently visible, the face is not tilted, and there is no reflection on the glasses. Check that the hair does not cover the cheeks or cheekbones and that the distance from the top of the head to the chin meets the required measurement.
Key Points for Korean Driver’s License Photos in 2026
Starting March 1, 2026, a Korean driver’s license photo may be rejected at the application counter if it does not meet passport-style photo requirements. The photo should be 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm high and should have been taken within six months of the application date. The distance from the top of the head to the chin should be between 3.2 cm and 3.6 cm, and the eyebrows and facial outline should be sufficiently visible.
The photo should be taken against a white or very light off-white background. The applicant should face the camera directly without wearing a hat or tinted glasses. Excessively retouched photos and photos printed on regular paper should be avoided. When using a photo studio, ask for a passport-style photo that meets the Korean driver’s license requirements and check the photo dimensions and facial visibility before visiting the application office.
Korean Driver’s License Photo FAQ
What is the required size for a Korean driver’s license photo?
The required photo size is 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm high. This is the same size as a standard Korean passport photo. A photo that is larger or smaller than the required dimensions may not be accepted.
How recent does the photo need to be?
The photo must have been taken within six months of the driver’s license application date. It is better to take a new photo if your current appearance is significantly different or if the photo was previously used for an older identification document.
How large should the face appear in the photo?
The distance from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin should be between 3.2 cm and 3.6 cm. A photo in which the face appears too small or too large may be rejected.
Can my bangs cover my eyebrows?
At least 70% of each eyebrow should be visible. If one eyebrow is fully visible, at least half of the other eyebrow should be visible. The outline and shape of the eyebrows should be identifiable through or around the hair.
Is it acceptable if my ears are not visible?
Yes. Hair may cover the ears. However, the photo cannot be used if the hair covers the cheeks, cheekbones, or jawline and makes the facial outline difficult to identify.
Can I use a background that is not white?
The background should be white or a very light off-white color. Clearly gray, blue, patterned, or shadowed backgrounds may result in rejection.
Can I wear glasses in the photo?
Regular glasses are allowed, but the frames must not cover the eyes and the lenses must not reflect light. Tinted glasses or sunglasses that hide the pupils are not allowed.
Can I take the photo with a smartphone and print it?
A smartphone photo may be accepted if it meets all requirements and is clearly printed on photographic paper. However, it may be rejected if there are signs of background removal or facial retouching, or if the image resolution is too low. Using a professional photo studio is generally safer.
Can I submit a photo edited with Photoshop?
A photo cannot be used if the face shape, eyes, nose, mouth, moles, scars, or other facial features have been changed so that the person appears different. Minor brightness and color adjustments may be acceptable, but excessive retouching should be avoided.
How many photos should I prepare?
Under Article 57, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 1 of the Enforcement Rules of the Road Traffic Act, three photos should be prepared. The actual number required may vary depending on the application, so bringing extra identical copies is recommended.
