Yes, we know that a driver's license photo is not your average glamor shot, but a serious identifier that helps law enforcement keep potential threats under control.
But this document is issued for 10 years, is it really a crime to want to look good in a photo?
We asked the pros to tell us their best tips for getting the best license shot without breaking a sweat.
Source: iStock
Gather your hair
The worst thing you can do is let your hair down and throw most of it over one shoulder. This will make your face look disproportionate and shorten your neck in the photo.
Pull your hair into a bun or ponytail. Too much facial hair blocks light and creates shadows, which can make you look older.
Don't pull your hair too tightly, leaving a few strands free to fall out.
Be sure to wash your hair before shooting or add shine to your hair using special products.
What photo is needed for a license in Russia?
When you begin preparing for the registration procedure, you will need 2 photographs of the sample established by the relevant authorities. They must be digital and printed on high-quality, good photographic paper.
You are allowed to use only those photos that were printed within the last 6 months. Photos that are too old will not be accepted. This requirement applies because a person's face changes over time.
When photographed for your license, you must wear formal clothing in neutral shades.
For the license of the new sample, a color photo is taken on a gray background. The size of the driver's license photo is 21*30 mm. It must meet certain standards:
- the person’s face must be in full view, without any head coverings (if this contradicts the citizen’s religion, then it is allowed, but not covering the face itself);
- The scale of the face should occupy 80% of the entire photo ;
- between the head and the edge of the photo - 2-4 mm ;
- It is allowed to carry glasses, but without tinted glasses;
- the background must be uniform, without any foreign objects, and red;
- it must be without glare, contrasts and shadows ;
- no marks, scratches or other damage;
- image thickness - 0.3 mm ;
- The contrast of the photo should be average.
This must be a good quality photo, otherwise it will not be accepted by the State Traffic Inspectorate. It can be printed on matte paper , as it prevents the formation of streaks or dirt from touching it. Another reason why this type of paper is chosen is that the ink on it does not smudge or spread when printing.
Where is it better to take photos - in the studio or the traffic police department? Of course, the latter option is preferable, since employees there have high-quality digital equipment. They will tell you how to sit correctly and what not to do while you are being photographed.
This way you will save time, money and nerves. After all, the studio may make a mistake or take a photo in the wrong format, and you will have to redo everything later.
Tip 1: What is the best thing to wear to take photographs for documents?
Therefore, it is recommended to get your hairstyle right before taking your driver's license photo.
As a result, you received the coveted set of photographs, but this is not exactly what you wanted to see - it means today is not the best day for photography or you made the wrong choice of photographer.
Specialist in lending to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses. Experience in the banking sector – more than 15 years.
The best option when choosing a wardrobe for ID photos is clothing that contrasts with the background. The presence of both dark elements and elements of light colors. The women's shoulders are covered with clothing or at least fragments of their hairstyle.
In what situations is it necessary to take photographs?
First of all, you need to find out in what cases the driver will need a photograph. The most common option is when a car enthusiast wants to become the owner of a national driver’s license and is photographed for his license at the traffic police. If we are talking about obtaining an international ID, you can order a photo from a special studio and bring it with you. You can also make your own photograph for a certificate confirming that the future driver has passed a medical examination.
When obtaining an international driver's license and a medical certificate, the driver can decide for himself where it would be more convenient for him to contact the issue of taking a photo. However, it is important to remember that the requirements for the submitted images are also mandatory in the case of the applicant’s own preparation of the photo.
Most often, photo studio employees have up-to-date information. But it’s better not to rely on someone else’s knowledge and carefully study the actual list of requirements.
Passing theoretical and practical exams at the university
After you have completed training and practice, as well as passed internal exams at a driving school (if you have not attended classes, you may not pass the exam at a driving school), you will only have to prepare to pass the exams at the traffic police. But to do this you need to collect the following package of documents:
- Application (usually provided directly at the driving school);
- Identification document (Passport);
- If there is no registration in the passport, then a certificate with temporary registration is required;
- Medical certificate 003 issued;
- Driver's card from a driving school or other documents confirming completion of training;
- Driver's license (if additional categories open);
- Photo if the license will be made on a paper basis, in the case of a license on a plastic basis, the photo is taken on site at the traffic police department;
- Receipt of payment of the state fee for passing the exams.
If everything is in order, after checking the citizen’s documents by the traffic police inspector, he is assigned a place, date and time for taking the exams. Passing exams, issuing and replacing a driver’s license is carried out at the traffic police department at the place of temporary stay, registration or actual residence of an individual (citizen). Examinations for obtaining a driver's license take place in 3 stages (excluding the opening of categories “A” and “M”): theoretical exam, driving a car in the city and driving a car on a special site. Now let's take a closer look at each of the stages:
- Theoretical part . All license candidates are gathered into a group of 15-20 people and invited to go to the computer room. Near each computer there will be a sign with the name of the examinee. You have 20 minutes to complete the exam. The exam card will contain 20 questions, which are randomly taken from a total database of about 800 questions. In total, you can make no more than two mistakes . If mistakes were made, the candidate is provided with additional questions. If you have answered the main and additional questions (in case of errors), the exam is considered passed, and the candidate for advanced training can proceed to the next examination stage (site);
- Area . To pass this stage of the exam, the traffic police has a specially equipped area where you need to perform certain actions while driving a car: climbing uphill from a standstill with the handbrake, stopping in front of the stop line, driving front and back into the garage, as well as making a snake and making U-turns. . If during the process the student touches special flags with the car, the examiner will mark it as “failed.”
- City . The exam in the city serves to look at the student’s practical skills, which will be checked by the inspector. While driving around the city, the examiner will require the student to perform certain actions, while the candidate for a license must do everything in accordance with the rules of the road. The inspector, in turn, may compromise you by asking you to perform a prohibited action (for example, making a U-turn across a solid road). For each violation, the traffic police officer assigns penalty points, and the total number should not exceed 5.
If a candidate for a driver's license has not passed the exams, he can come to retake them only after 7 days. Moreover, if the theoretical exam has been passed, it will be valid for 6 months. And if during this period you still do not pass the remaining exams, then you will have to take the theory again. If a student fails one exam three or more times, he will be able to test his strength again only after 30 days.
If all the exams have been successfully passed, the citizen remains to pay the state fee for obtaining a license (in 2021 it is equal to: license on a plastic basis - 2000 rubles, license on a paper basis - 500 rubles) and visit the traffic police department for photographing, where after 20 minutes, you will be issued a new driver's license, which will be valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
Vehicles in which the practical parts of the exam are taken have special identification marks “Training Vehicle” and there are additional clutch and brake pedals in the front passenger seat, as well as a rear-view mirror for the inspector. Practical exams are taken in the category of car for which the student is taking the exam to drive.
Some tips for driving school students:
- Always ask your instructor to skate with you for the required 50 hours.
- If, when practicing in a car, you are always given different instructors, this will also negatively affect your training, so if this happens, file a complaint with the management of the driving school.
- When you choose a driving school, check with them in advance on which routes they will teach driving in the city; it is advisable that these are the same routes as when passing the exams at the traffic police.
At what age is a driver's license issued?
So, let's now take a closer look at the age at which you can get a driver's license:
- To obtain category “A1” and “M” licenses, a citizen must be at least 16 years old ;
- To obtain a license in categories “A”, “B”, “B1”, “C” and “C1”, a person must be at least 18 years old , while studying at a driving school for the right to drive a car from category “B” and “ C" can be passed at the age of 17;
- You can get the right to drive trams (“Tm”) and trolleybuses (“Tb”) from the age of 21 ;
- You can study and obtain categories “D” and “D1” after you turn 21 ;
- In order to obtain the right to drive a vehicle of categories “BE” ( not younger than 19 years ), “CE” ( not younger than 19 years ), “DE” ( not younger than 22 years ), you will need experience driving vehicles from categories “B”, “ C" and D from 1 year. At the same time, the applicant for these categories does not need additional documents; only a license with one of the above categories, the driving period for which is at least 12 months .
- To open categories “C1E” and “D1E”, you will also need at least 1 year of driving experience, and one of the open categories “C1” and “D1” or “C” and “D”, respectively.
Where can I take a photo?
The applicant has the right to prepare the photograph independently, and it will be accepted by employees of the State Road Safety Inspectorate if it meets the standards listed above.
Each option has its pros and cons. For example, if a citizen decides to save money and prepare photos at home, he should use matte photo paper.
Self-production
Modern programs and office equipment make it possible to take a photograph for submission to a government agency if you have some skills: if the size and background are not so difficult to maintain, then competent work with lighting is needed to eliminate glare. Compliance with all parameters will require attention and scrupulousness, otherwise the traffic police department will not accept the photo.
Take a photo at the traffic police
A photograph for an international driving document can be taken immediately at the place of application, that is, at the State Road Safety Inspectorate: its registration units are currently equipped with special technical equipment. Drivers who choose this option free themselves from any comments from police officers regarding the quality and parameters of the photograph.
Also, the registration and issuance of international driving documents is the responsibility of the MFC. In these same centers you can take photos when documents are submitted.
Photo for a new license
Modern requirements for photography are reflected in Appendix No. 1 to Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 365 dated May 13, 2009, as amended on January 9, 2014. The established parameters comply with the international standard for driving documents under the Vienna and Geneva Treaties of 1968 and 1971, respectively.
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Despite the innovation and emerging additional requirements, the previous rights have not lost their legal significance. Therefore, until their expiration date, old and new documents are equivalent. Old-style rights correspond to the following parameters:
- made on a laminated sheet with a photograph of the driver on a white background;
- made on plastic with a photograph on a scarlet background;
- in any case, their legitimacy is equal to the remaining shelf life, after which the documents should be replaced with new ones according to the modern standard.
Requirements for photos for international rights
If a citizen of the Russian Federation decides to get a special international driver's license, then you can also take a photo at the traffic police department or a specialized photo salon.
It should be noted that a domestic Russian driver’s license does not require the same photograph as an international document.
Here is a list of photo requirements for an IDP:
- The photo size is 35 by 45 millimeters (for a regular VU you need a photo measuring 30 by 40, pay special attention to this);
- The type of paper is exclusively matte; glossy photo paper is not allowed;
- The photograph can be either color or two-color, but only on a white background;
- It is allowed to have a headdress, if this is predetermined by convictions, that does not hide the oval of the face and glasses without darkened lenses;
Since the requirements for an international document are much simpler than for a domestic document, the “government services” website allows you to take such a photo yourself at home and send it via the Internet.
There are also certain requirements: the photograph must be color, clear, on a gray background, exclusively from the front, the ratio of width to height is seven to ten (for example, 35 millimeters by 50 millimeters), the file must be in JPEG format and weigh no more than 27 kilobytes .
How to take a beautiful photo with your license
As a result, you received the coveted set of photographs, but this is not exactly what you wanted to see - it means today is not the best day for photography or you made the wrong choice of photographer. You have the right not to pay for the service and ask for a refund. Please note that Photographers who value their reputation will never take money in advance and treat this with understanding.
In order to get a beautiful and healthy complexion, the first thing you should do is get a good night's sleep. Then you will not have bags under your eyes, and in general your face will look rested. It is advisable not to drink a lot of water before shooting. You can also visit a cosmetologist, and to correct any imperfections, just use foundation and corrector.
Compared to modern electronic standards, the driver's photograph on the old document was inferior in image clarity, durability, and was exposed to sunlight.
Are you surprised that this topic is even being raised by anyone? After all, it would seem that what’s so difficult about taking a passport photo? But this only seems, but in fact we see a bunch of unsuccessful photographs in the passports and other important documents of our friends, colleagues, and relatives. The situation is made even worse by the fact that such photographs have served us in IDs and passports for decades.
Photo for obtaining a used international sample
Another document that a candidate driver cannot do without is a medical certificate. Previously, two matte photographs were needed to design it. This condition regarding surface quality was explained by the need to obtain a non-blurry print.
When taking a photo with your passport, you cannot choose the right angle for you. Resorting to various photo editors will also not work. However, there are ways to look as aesthetically pleasing and attractive as possible in your passport photo. We present to you 6 tricks for a good passport photo.
The photo is an important part of the driver's license. It allows you to identify the owner if necessary. Like a photo for a civil passport, it must meet certain standards put forward by the state. organs. International photo requirements are slightly different from those that apply to Russian ones.
Some commentators and jurists believed that the verse refers to all women, regardless of their religion, because there is no reason why a Muslim woman is prohibited from removing her headscarf in front of strangers. Ibn Qudama, who shared this point of view, said that women of other faiths do not have the right to look at the genitals of a Muslim woman and give birth to her.
It is better to leave your lips unpainted. Or choose a lipstick in a shade close to the color of your lips. It is not recommended to use glitter.
At home, in front of the mirror, look at what facial expression you look best with and try to reproduce it at the time of photographing.
Such requirements are mandatory for all types of documents, they are also relevant for a driver’s license.
Also, photographs for a driver's license must be in color. Black and white version is not allowed here.
How to get a medical certificate
Often, driving schools enter into agreements with medical institutions that have a license to examine candidates to obtain a driver’s license for the first time or, in case of replacement, return after deprivation of the license as punishment for violations.
As a rule, going through a medical examination is faster, but more expensive.
No one forbids you to bring a conclusion in the prescribed form from your clinic or other organization of the healthcare system that has the appropriate license.
The procedure for medical examination of persons wishing to drive category B cars, as well as other vehicles, is approved by Order of the Ministry of Health of Russia No. 344n (effective as amended on June 23, 2020).
You need to go to the registration desk with your passport (for those of military age you should take a military ID).
The conclusion is written by the therapist, based on the results of an examination of specialist doctors who must be seen first.
Laboratory and instrumental studies are also carried out.
You must undergo an inspection:
- an ophthalmologist (if you have vision problems, you need to take with you the glasses and lenses that you use every day);
- psychiatrist;
- narcologist.
For information!
If you enroll in a driving school at your place of residence, and not at your place of residence, you can undergo an examination by a psychiatrist at a specialized medical organization in a given locality.
How to sign up for driving courses
Thanks to the development of modern technologies, it will not be difficult to choose the most convenient location, favorable tuition cost, and other advantageous offers.
Finding out information about opening hours, directions to the driving school, and its rating will not be difficult in the link.
On the websites of driving schools in St. Petersburg you can find:
- with a schedule for training cadets in the theoretical part and mastering driving skills under the guidance of an instructor;
- the cost of training for a specific category of driver's license;
- special offers for installment payments and assistance in returning tax deductions for tuition fees to certain categories of citizens.
As a rule, the website provides a contact phone number, by calling which you can clarify all the details of interest regarding individual situations.
Important!
Interested in attracting clients, educational institutions often offer promotions and legal support in matters of partial compensation of funds spent on tuition fees in the form of tax deductions.
Therefore, before deciding on the final choice of a driving school, you should carefully study all the nuances, including the variety of training vehicles in the fleet.
The second stage of making your dream of driving your own car come true, after choosing a driving school, is concluding a training agreement.
There is no need to be formal when signing documents.
Read all the terms and conditions for the range of services offered.
If payment by installments is expected, this must be stipulated in the contract, specifying the timing of payment of the amount remaining after the initial payment.
You can conclude a training agreement:
- at a branch of a driving school;
- at home by calling a manager who is an official representative of the driving school.
You can fill out an application for enrollment in a driving school on the educational institution’s website electronically, indicating your contact information, or during a personal visit.
Where to take a photo for a driver's license
Today, it is allowed to use both your photograph and one taken directly at the place where the driver’s license was issued. Each driver has the right to choose, but it is important to remember the existing requirements. In addition, taking photographs at the traffic police is free, but you will have to pay for taking photographs yourself.
Despite this, not all traffic police departments still have such an opportunity. In this case, you will have to pay a day for photos, or contact another department. It must be remembered that the rules for photographs are uniform and general throughout the country. In addition, in most cases they apply to all other documents.
ATTENTION !!! Most drivers do not pay attention to the photo and take it right on the spot. Only a small part brings their own, as this is associated with some difficulties. It is quite difficult to take photographs that meet all the requirements on your own and there is a high probability of their rejection. Therefore, the best option would be to contact a specialized organization providing such services.
It is impossible to answer specifically the question of how long the learning process lasts.
It all depends on how often you attend theory and driving lessons.
Since both students and working people can learn to drive, they choose an individual schedule according to their wishes, for example:
- in the evening hours on weekdays after a working day;
- only on weekends.
Therefore, you can approach the final exams to obtain a certificate of completion of a driving school in 2, 5 months or six months.
The learning process begins with theory, so you should take a notebook (notebook for notes) and a pen with you. The set of necessary educational literature is usually included in the range of services provided by the driving school and the total cost of training.
When going to practical classes, girls and women are recommended to wear comfortable shoes without heels to feel more comfortable behind the wheel.
It is important to know!
The theoretical part of the training can be completed remotely, but you will not be able to obtain a certificate of completion of a driving school online.
Mandatory driving hours must be completed with a hands-on instructor.
By the way, we note that distance learning in a driving school has fundamental differences from self-education.
By concluding an agreement with a driving school, you can not only use video lessons, but also receive teacher advice by phone or via Internet resources.
When studying the theory on your own, you can ask incomprehensible questions only on forums, where no one guarantees the correctness of the answer received.
Upon completion of the full course of training, candidates to become drivers will face an internal exam, which, in fact, will not only be a test of a person’s preparedness for independent driving, but also a rehearsal for the driver’s license exam at the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate.
The first stage is testing.
Those who successfully answer questions about traffic rules, first aid and other topics covered in the material are allowed to test their ability to maneuver in a car, navigate road signs and markings when driving around the city.
The deadlines for retaking unsatisfactory testing are regulated by the internal regulations of the educational institution.
If you fail to pass the driving test the first time, you do not need to take the test again.
No less than a week later, the cadet can repeat the attempt to pass the practical part of the internal exam.
