Driving licence (Switzerland): 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo, head 29–34 mm from chin to crown.
For a Swiss driving licence you submit the photo to your canton's road traffic office. The basis is fedpol's photo sample sheet, as the road traffic offices have summarised it for the licence:
- Image size 35 × 45 mm, no border
- Face height 29 to 34 mm from chin to crown
- Colour photos only, on photo paper
- No older than 1 year
Driving licence: submitted printed or digitally
- Source: Road Traffic Office, Canton of Grisons
- A first application: printed: “For a first application for a Swiss learner or driving licence the photo cannot be submitted digitally” — identity has to be verified first. The printed photo is therefore part of the application.
- Digital later on: In the other cases the cantons accept the photo through their online portal. The requirements for the image itself are the same, printed or digital.
- Your canton decides the route: Driving licences go through the road traffic office of the canton you live in. Check there whether an online portal exists — the route differs from canton to canton.
What the driving-licence photo has to look like
45 mm
35 mm
- Source: asa — Association of the Swiss Road Traffic Offices
- Format: Image size 35 × 45 mm, with no border. The road traffic ordinance requires “two current colour passport photos in 35×45 mm format” with the application.
- Face height: The face height from chin to crown is at least 29 mm and at most 34 mm. That is a noticeably smaller head than Germany or Austria asks for — a photo made for those will not pass here without being re-cropped.
- Background: The background must be plain, even and neutral, with no shadows. There has to be a clear separation between the background and the head.
- Posture and head position: The person must sit square to the camera and look straight into it, with the head held straight. No other person, object or hand may appear in the photo.
- Eyes and expression: Both eyes must be open, level with each other and clearly visible — including for glasses wearers. The expression should be friendly to neutral, and the mouth stays closed.
- Head covering: Head coverings are not allowed as a rule, nor is a headband, a conspicuous hair band or a pair of glasses pushed up onto the head. Exceptions are granted only on documented medical or religious grounds — and then the face must be recognisable at least from the lower edge of the chin to the hairline.
- Lighting, sharpness and contrast: The photo must be sharp and well contrasted, the lighting even and free of shadows on the face. Skin tone should look natural; reflections on the skin and red eye are to be avoided.
- Photo paper: The paper — glossy or semi-matte — must have a smooth, untextured surface, and only paper made for photographic prints may be used. Creases, rounded corners, unevenness and dirt make the photo unusable.
- Colour and recency: Only colour photos are accepted; on the licence itself the picture then appears in black and white. The photo must not be older than 1 year.
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