The Driver’s License Photo Formula

Everyone wants a good-looking driver’s license photo.

After learning to drive, learning how to take a non-cringey photo is next up on most people’s to-do list.

Which is why it’s no surprise that our 14-step guide to a perfect license photo went viral with over 20, 000 views.

But while so many of us may struggle to take a license photo we like, there are some people who just seem to get it right.

And is it a coincidence that their photos have some key things in common?

We think not.

After studying hundreds of driver’s license photos, we noticed that there are five things 98% of them have in common.

The analysis begins below.

The Key Elements Of A Driver’s License Photo

Driver’s license photos are small, which means all the attention goes to your face, particularly these four key elements:

1. Hair
2. Eye Area
3. Lips
4. Overall Expression

Our study revealed that the best license photos all optimized these four areas for the best results.

Common Features Of The Best Driver’s License Photos

Hair

1. No Ears?

This has to be one of our strangest discoveries.

Whether it’s partially (one ear or fringe pieces) or completely (both ears), nearly everyone with a good driver’s license photo had their ears covered.

This might be because covering your ears makes your face look more symmetrical and puts the focus off onto your other facial features. 

It can also help you achieve a softer and more elegant appearance.

However, some countries and states may require your ears to be visible in your license photo, which is why we always stress the importance of doing your research.

Eyes

2. Bold Brows

The second thing we noticed is that in all the best driver’s license photos, subjects’ eyebrows were clearly visible by color (shape and size did not matter). 

In other words, their eyebrows were not too light which can make it difficult to show up on camera.

Instead, they were dark enough to be noticed on camera while also in a shade and shape that complemented and flattered their face.

3. Added Lashes

If you really think about it, lashes are just these teeny pieces of hair attached to our eyelids.

Even if you are blessed with lashes that are longer than average, they hardly ever show up in a license or ID photo.

However, lashes can make a big difference, so it’s no surprise that in nearly all of the best-looking license and ID photos, girls were flaunting the prettiest of falsies or lash extensions.

While they weren’t too dramatic, they helped to make their lashes actually show up in their photos.

Most importantly, their lashes were in a style that perfectly fit their face.

Lips

4. Nude Lips

Very few of the best license photos featured bold or brightly colored lipstick. 

Instead, girls wore a subtle nude lip that looked very natural.

There was also just the tiniest hint of gloss to make the lips look super soft.

Expression

5. A Smile or ‘A Pleasant Neutral’ Expression

Let’s face it – being able to have a completely serious expression in a photo and not have it look like a mugshot is a skill that very few people have.

And that’s probably why in the best license and ID photos, girls are rarely ever completely serious – even when you think they are.

This is a good time to explain the ‘pleasant neutral’ – a term we coined to describe an expression you’ll often see in some of the best ID photos.

In this expression, people aren’t laughing or frowning or making any obvious expression but still look pleasant, approachable, and open.

It’s not hard to do, but it does take practice. 

You can do this by looking in a mirror with a neutral expression and then adjusting your features to look more approachable.

This includes relaxing your face, slightly raising your eyebrows, and barely lifting the corners of your mouth to make it look like you are slightly amused. 

Every face is different, so you’ll want to examine your face and see what else you can adjust to achieve the look.

It might help to think of a pleasant memory as you are getting your photo taken.

Nothing too funny though! You don’t want to look like you’re about to laugh.

If you can’t do the pleasant neutral (or you prefer not to), don’t be afraid to put on a smile.

Whether it’s subtle or wide, smiling is a foolproof way to get a cute license photo – as long as it’s allowed.

Conclusion

So there you have it: the 5 things almost all of the best driver’s license and ID photos have in common.

Of course, these are just observations and not rules – so you can pick and choose what you want to copy or disregard.

Either way, we wish you a license photo you’re truly happy with.

All the best!