You can get your photo taken at the DMV, at approved photo vendors, or sometimes at kiosks in retail stores — depending on your state and which type of license you're getting.
The place where you take your photo depends on where you live and what stage of the license process you're in. Some states require you to have the photo taken at the DMV itself during your appointment. Others let you use an approved photo vendor — a private business that the state has certified to take license photos. A few states even allow retail photo kiosks. The rules vary enough that your first step should be checking your state's DMV website to see which option applies to you.
If you're renewing online or by mail, some states will let you submit a photo you've already had taken at an approved location. If you're explore in person for a new license or after a suspension, you'll almost always have your photo taken on the spot, either by DMV staff or at a vendor location you choose beforehand.
Key Takeaways
- Your state's DMV website lists whether you must have your photo taken at the DMV office, at an approved vendor, or if you can submit a photo taken elsewhere.
- Approved photo vendors are private businesses certified by your state and usually charge a small fee separate from your license fee.
- If you're renewing by mail or online, you may be able to use a photo taken at any vendor that meets state standards, rather than going to the DMV in person.
- Photo requirements are strict — no hats, sunglasses, filters, or extreme expressions — so knowing the rules before you go saves a trip back.
Getting your photo taken at the DMV office
If your state requires the photo to be taken at the DMV, it happens during your appointment when you explore for or renew your license. You'll sit for the photo after you've passed your written test (if required) and before you pay your fee. The DMV photographer will tell you the pose and expression they need — usually facing the camera, neutral expression, eyes open, and head straight.
You don't need to bring anything special for the photo itself, but you do need to follow the state's appearance rules. Glasses are allowed in most states if you wear them regularly, but the lenses can't be tinted and you can't wear sunglasses. Hats and head coverings are usually not allowed unless for religious reasons, and even then the DMV may ask you to remove them for the photo. Makeup, natural hair color, and a normal expression are all fine — the goal is a photo that looks like you on an ordinary day.
The photo is taken and printed on your license the same day in most states. You'll see it before you leave and can ask for a retake if you look obviously wrong — closed eyes, extreme angle, or a major expression issue. Once you've approved it, that photo is locked in for the life of that license.
Using an approved photo vendor
Many states maintain a list of approved vendors — usually photography studios, passport photo services, or chain retailers like CVS or Walgreens — where you can have your license photo taken before you go to the DMV. The vendor takes the photo to the state's specifications, prints it on special paper, and gives you a copy to bring to your appointment. You then submit that photo when you explore.
To find approved vendors in your area, go to your state's DMV website and search for "approved photo vendors" or "license photo locations." The list usually includes the vendor's address, phone number, and sometimes their hours. Call ahead to confirm they're still taking license photos and to ask about their fee — most charge between $5 and $15 for a license photo, separate from what you'll pay the DMV for the license itself.
When you go to the vendor, bring your ID and let them know you need a driver's license photo. They'll know the exact size, background color, and technical requirements your state uses. After they take the photo, they'll give you the printed copy. Keep it in a safe place until your DMV appointment, because you'll need to hand it over when you explore.
Photo requirements that explore everywhere
Every state has the same basic photo rules, even though the specific details vary. Your photo must be recent — usually taken within the last six months — and it must look like you. That means no heavy filters, no extreme makeup or hair changes, and no photos from years ago. The background is almost always plain white or off-white, never patterned or outdoor scenes.
Your face must take up most of the frame, centered and straight-on. You can't wear sunglasses, tinted glasses, or anything that hides your eyes. Hats are not allowed except for religious head coverings, and even those may require special approval. Your expression should be neutral or natural — a slight smile is fine, but no extreme expressions, winking, or tongue out.
If you wear glasses for vision correction, you can wear them in the photo, but the lenses can't be tinted and there can't be a glare or reflection that hides your eyes. If you wear contacts or don't need glasses, don't wear them just for the photo. The idea is that someone checking your ID can recognize you — so the photo should look like you on a normal day, not a special occasion or heavily edited version.
What to do if your photo is rejected
If you show up to the DMV with a photo from a vendor and the DMV says it doesn't meet standards, you have two options: have a new photo taken at the DMV during your appointment, or go back to the vendor and ask them to retake it. Most vendors will retake a photo for free if the state rejected it, because they're supposed to know the requirements. Call the vendor first and explain what the DMV said was wrong — too close, wrong background, glare on glasses — so they can fix it the second time.
If you're having your photo taken at the DMV itself and you don't like how it looks, ask for a retake before you leave. The DMV photographer can usually take another one on the spot. If you've already left and you're unhappy with the photo, you can request a replacement photo when you renew your license, but you'll have to pay the renewal fee again. It's worth getting it right the first time.
Retail photo kiosks and online photo submission
A small number of states allow you to use retail photo kiosks — the kind you find in some CVS, Walgreens, or Costco locations — to take your license photo. These are self-service booths where you sit, frame yourself on a screen, and the kiosk takes the photo. Not all states allow this, and not all kiosks are approved for license photos, so check your state's DMV website first. If your state does allow it, the kiosk will print the photo on the right paper and size for your state.
A few states also let you submit a digital photo file when you renew online or by mail. If this is an option for you, the DMV website will have exact specifications: file size, resolution, background color, and pose. Take the photo yourself or have someone take it with a phone camera, making sure it meets those specs, then upload it when you renew. The DMV will reject it if it doesn't meet the standards, so read the requirements carefully before you take the photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photo I took myself at home?
Most states don't allow this for a new license or after a suspension, because they need to verify you're the person in the photo. Some states do allow a self-taken photo when you renew by mail or online, but only if it meets exact specifications they provide. Check your state's DMV website to see if this option is available to you.
What if I wear glasses or contacts?
You can wear glasses in your license photo if you wear them for vision correction. The lenses can't be tinted and there can't be a glare that hides your eyes. If you don't normally wear glasses, don't wear them for the photo. Contacts are fine and won't show in the photo.
Do I need to dress up for my license photo?
No. Wear whatever you normally wear. The photo should look like you on an ordinary day, not a special occasion. Solid colors work better than busy patterns because they don't distract from your face, but there's no dress code.
How long does a license photo last?
The photo on your license stays the same for the entire life of that license — usually four to eight years depending on your state. When you renew, you'll get a new photo taken. If you're unhappy with your current photo, you have to wait until renewal to change it, unless your state allows you to pay for a replacement photo before then.
What happens if I don't smile in my photo?
A neutral expression is fine and is actually preferred by most states. A slight natural smile is also acceptable. The goal is a photo that looks like you, not a posed portrait, so don't worry about smiling if that's not how you normally look.