What the DGT actually asks for
In the renewal procedure, the Dirección General de Tráfico asks for “an original, current photograph of 32 × 26 mm, in colour and on a plain background, taken from the front with the head uncovered and without dark glasses or any other item that may hinder identification”. That is, word for word, the DNI requirement set by Royal Decree 1553/2005.
“Plain background” rather than “white background” is the only difference in wording, and it is not worth exploiting: uniform white is always accepted, light grey depends on who is looking. We produce plain white, which is the safe case.
What changed in November 2024
Since 6 November 2024 the photograph is no longer requested for procedures where the DGT already holds it — typically because the driver medical centre sent it along with the fitness report. But there is small print: if the photo on file does not meet the requirements, a new one is requested. And for a first licence, for exchanging a foreign licence or for a duplicate after loss, you still need one.
How many to bring
The procedure asks for one. Bring two: a photo turned away at the traffic office cannot be fixed on the spot, and it means booking another appointment. The 10 × 15 cm sheet we include gives you eleven copies, so the problem does not arise.
The mistakes that keep happening
- An old photo. “Original and current” means recent: less than six months. Reusing the one from your previous licence is the number one reason for rejection.
- Glare on glasses. Prescription glasses are fine, but not if the lens reflects the window and hides an eye. Sunglasses never are.
- A shadow on the background. Stand a metre from the wall and it goes away.
- A home crop. The head must fill 70–80 % of the height. Cropping by eye almost always leaves it too small.
- Printing on plain paper. It looks grainy and is rejected on sight. Photo paper, at 100 % scale.
How to get it without going to a shop
A front-facing photo in window light, taken by someone else at your eye level, with room above your head. The processing does the rest: plain white background, head measured from crown to chin, tilt corrected, cropped to 26 × 32 mm at true 600 dpi. You see the result before you pay.
The same file works for the TIE, the DNI and the passport: the format is identical.
Frequently asked questions
Is it 32 × 26 or 26 × 32?
Same photo. The DGT writes the height first and the width second; the result is 26 mm wide by 32 mm tall.
Can I use my DNI photo?
Yes, if it is recent. The format is the same. What will not do is a photo from five years ago, even if the size fits.
What about the international driving permit?
Same format, 32 × 26 mm. It is issued at the traffic office and also requires a recent photograph.