In short
The German driving licence photo must be a current, printed biometric passport photo: 35 × 45 mm, head height 32–36 mm, frontal, neutral expression, eyes open, plain light background without shadows. Glasses are allowed if the eyes are clearly visible and nothing reflects; head coverings only for religious or medical reasons. The digital-only rule does not apply to driving licences.
Last updated: · FotoKlar editorial team
All requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 35 × 45 mm | portrait, no border |
| Head height | 32–36 mm | chin to crown |
| Pose | frontal | head straight, looking into the camera |
| Expression | neutral | mouth closed, eyes open |
| Background | plain, light | ideally light grey, no shadows |
| Format | printed | lab print recommended |
Glasses, head covering and beard
- Glasses: eyes clearly visible, no tinted lenses, no reflections, frame not over the eyes
- Head covering: only for religious or medical reasons, face from chin to forehead visible
- Beard and make-up: allowed if they match how you look today
- No hair over the eyes
Mandatory licence exchange: which deadline applies to me?
Card licences issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged in stages; the year of issue is in field 4a. Each new card needs a current biometric photo.
| Issued | Exchange by |
|---|---|
| 1999–2001 | 19.01.2026 |
| 2002–2004 | 19.01.2027 |
| 2005–2007 | 19.01.2028 |
| 2008 | 19.01.2029 |
| 2009 | 19.01.2030 |
| 2010 | 19.01.2031 |
| 2011 | 19.01.2032 |
| 2012 – 18.01.2013 | 19.01.2033 |
Digital photo or Data Matrix code?
Not needed: driving licence offices still want a printed photo, and some cannot use photos with the Data Matrix code from a digital passport photo.
Some offices, for example the City of Stuttgart, do not accept self-made or self-printed photos – use a lab print. Printing tips are on printing passport photos.
Sources
- Tübingen district office: photo for the driving licence – checked 21/10/2026
- Uckermark district: printed photo still required – checked 21/10/2026
- City of Stuttgart: digital-only photos for ID documents from 1 May – checked 21/10/2026
- City of Bremerhaven: mandatory driving licence exchange – checked 21/10/2026
- Federal Ministry of the Interior: photo sample chart – checked 21/10/2026