Saudi Driving License Photo: Requirements for Issuance and Renewal

Last updated: August 2026

Whether you are issuing a Saudi driving licence for the first time or renewing an existing one, the photo follows the same Absher digital spec used for the National ID and iqama. Get the size, background or file weight wrong and the upload is rejected before the application moves forward. Here is exactly what the photo needs and how to prepare it from your phone.

The digital photo spec

The driving licence photo usually follows the standard Absher upload spec — the same numbers as the National ID and iqama. Confirm the values shown in your service at the time of application; the usual spec is:

  • Dimensions: 480x640 pixels, portrait (a 3:4 ratio, taller than it is wide)
  • Format: JPEG (.jpg)
  • File size: under 1 MB
  • Background: pure, even white with no shadow behind the head
  • A recent colour photo taken within the last 6 months

Issuance vs renewal — same photo spec

The photo requirement is usually the same for issuing a new licence and renewing an existing one — both typically follow the Absher digital spec above, though the service screen is the final word. The rest of the process (fees, medical check and any tests) differs, and those steps can change over time, so confirm the current procedure on Absher.

Mistakes that cause rejection

The reasons a driving licence photo is rejected mirror the Absher photo rules. The most common ones:

  • Landscape orientation instead of portrait (640x480 uploaded by mistake)
  • A background that is light grey or carries a shadow rather than pure white
  • A file well over 1 MB straight from the phone camera
  • Glasses, coloured lenses, beauty filters or heavy editing of the features
  • White clothing that blends into the white background

Preparing the photo from your phone

Shoot in even daylight with your face centred, neutral expression, eyes open, no glasses, wearing a colour that contrasts with white. Then upload the photo to our Absher photo tool: it locks the size to 480x640, replaces the background with clean white and keeps the file under 1 MB in one pass. You preview the result before you pay. Meeting the published specs increases your approval chances, but the final decision always rests with the authority.

Frequently asked questions

What size is the Saudi driving licence photo?

480x640 pixels in portrait orientation, saved as a JPEG under 1 MB with a pure white background — the same Absher spec used for the National ID and iqama.

Can I use the same photo for my ID, iqama and driving licence?

Usually yes — all three typically follow the same Absher digital upload spec: 480x640 pixels, white background, JPEG under 1 MB. Double-check the values shown in your service before uploading.

Does the photo differ between issuing and renewing a licence?

No — the photo spec is the same for issuance and renewal. Other steps such as fees and medical checks can differ and change over time, so confirm the current process on Absher.

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