The basics: dress normally, avoid patterns, and skip the sunglasses
Your driver's license photo will be on your ID for years, but the DMV doesn't care if you look good—it cares if it can identify you. That means solid colors, no hats, no sunglasses, and nothing that hides your face or changes how you normally look. The photo has to match you when an officer or a bouncer is checking your ID in person.
Most states have the same core rules: your face must be clearly visible, you can't wear anything that obscures your features, and you should dress the way you typically do. Beyond that, the rules vary slightly by state, so check your DMV's website before your appointment. But the spirit of every rule is the same: make it possible for someone to recognize you from the photo.
Key Takeaways
- Wear solid colors with good contrast to your skin tone; avoid busy patterns, stripes, and busy prints that can blur in the photo.
- Leave off hats, headbands, sunglasses, and anything else that covers your head or face, unless you have a religious or medical reason.
- Avoid heavy makeup, filters, or anything that changes your appearance so much that someone wouldn't recognize you in person.
- Check your state's DMV website for specific rules about glasses, religious head coverings, and other exceptions before you go in.
Colors and patterns that photograph well
Solid colors work best because they don't compete with your face in the photo. Wear something that contrasts with your skin tone—if you have a light complexion, a dark shirt shows your face clearly; if you have a darker complexion, a lighter shirt does the same. The goal is for your face to stand out, not blend into your clothing.
Avoid busy patterns, horizontal stripes, large checks, or anything with a repeating design. These can create a moiré effect in the photo (a weird shimmering or wavy pattern), and they distract from your face. Solid colors, small prints, or straightforward textures are all fine. White or very light colors can sometimes cause glare, so if you're wearing white, make sure it's not bright white right under your chin.
What you can't wear: hats, glasses, and face coverings
Hats, baseball caps, headbands, and anything that shadows your face are not allowed in most states. The DMV needs a clear, unobstructed view of your face from the front. The same goes for sunglasses—even if you wear them every day, they have to come off for the photo.
Religious head coverings (like a hijab, turban, or yarmulke) are allowed in all 50 states as long as your face is fully visible. Medical reasons—like a head bandage after surgery—may also be exceptions, but you'll need to explain and possibly provide documentation. Check your state's DMV rules before you arrive, because some states require advance notice for religious exceptions.
Face masks are not allowed unless your state has a specific medical or religious exception. Tinted glasses are usually not allowed either, though regular prescription glasses are fine in most places. If you wear glasses every day, wear them for the photo—the photo should look like you.
Makeup, filters, and looking like yourself
You can wear makeup, but keep it natural. Heavy makeup, dramatic eyeshadow, or a completely different look than you normally wear can cause problems later. If an officer pulls you over and you look significantly different from your license photo, it can slow things down. The photo is meant to identify you, not to be a glamour shot.
Do not use filters, touch-ups, or any kind of photo editing. The DMV will take the photo themselves, and they won't allow you to submit a filtered or edited image. What you see is what you get—the camera captures you as you are that day. If you normally wear your hair a certain way, wear it that way. If you normally have a beard, keep it. If you usually wear glasses, wear them.
Jewelry, piercings, and other accessories
Small jewelry and piercings are fine—earrings, nose rings, and other visible piercings don't need to come off. Large dangling earrings or jewelry that moves can sometimes cause a slight blur, so straightforward, close-to-the-face pieces work better. Avoid anything that's so shiny or reflective that it creates glare in the photo.
Visible tattoos are not a problem. The DMV doesn't require you to cover them, and they won't affect your photo or your license. Wear what you normally wear.
Glasses: prescription, tinted, and photochromic
If you wear prescription glasses every day, wear them for your photo. Your license photo should look like you, and if you normally wear glasses, that's part of how people recognize you. Regular clear glasses are always allowed.
Tinted glasses are usually not allowed because they can hide your eyes, which are a key part of identification. Photochromic lenses (the kind that darken in sunlight) should be clear when you take the photo, so take the photo indoors or in shade. Some states allow them as long as your eyes are visible; others don't. Check your state's rules if you wear photochromics.
Sunglasses are never allowed, even if you have light-sensitive eyes. If you have a medical condition that requires you to wear dark glasses, contact your DMV ahead of time to ask about exceptions.
What to do the day of your appointment
Wear something you feel comfortable in and that you might actually wear again. You'll be looking at this photo for years, so if you hate how you look in a certain color, don't wear it just because you think it's "correct." A solid-colored shirt you like will photograph better than something you're uncomfortable in.
Get a good night's sleep if you can—tired eyes and dark circles show up in photos. Eat something so you're not hungry and distracted. Arrive a few minutes early so you're not rushed. Take a breath before the photo, relax your face, and remember that the DMV photographer takes hundreds of these photos a day. They're not judging you; they just need a clear, identifiable image.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear a hat for religious reasons?
Yes. All 50 states allow religious head coverings like hijabs, turbans, and yarmulkes as long as your face is fully visible and unobstructed. Some states ask you to notify the DMV in advance, so check your state's website. Your face must still be clearly visible from the front.
What if I wear glasses every day—should I wear them in the photo?
Yes. Wear them if you normally wear them. Your license photo should look like you in everyday life. If you wear glasses most of the time, wearing them in the photo makes it easier for someone to recognize you when they check your ID.
Can I smile or do I have to look serious?
You can smile. Most DMVs allow a natural smile or neutral expression—whatever looks like you. A slight smile is fine. Avoid exaggerated expressions or anything that doesn't look like your normal face.
What if I look really different now than I did on my last license?
Take a new photo that looks like you now. If you've changed your hair, grown a beard, lost weight, or anything else that significantly changes your appearance, your new photo should reflect that. The point is for the photo to match you when you're using the ID.
Are there any colors I absolutely should not wear?
Avoid white or very light colors if possible—they can cause glare. Avoid busy patterns and horizontal stripes. Otherwise, any solid color that contrasts with your skin tone works. Wear what makes you look like yourself.