The permiso de conducir photo must be 26×32mm with a plain white background — the same size as the Spanish DNI and passport. If you've recently renewed either of those and have prints left over, they'll work here without modification.
Spain Permiso de Conducir Photo Specifications (26×32mm)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 26×32mm (307×378 pixels at 300 dpi) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Head position | Centred, facing directly forward |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Head coverings | Only for religious or medical reasons |
| Photo age | Recent — within 6 months |
The DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) issues the permiso de conducir and enforces these specifications. A non-compliant photo delays your application.
Get a compliant passport photo online
One 26×32mm Photo Format Across All Spanish Documents
Spain uses 26×32mm for nearly every government identity document:
- Pasaporte (Spanish passport)
- DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad)
- Permiso de conducir (driving licence)
- TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, residency card)
Most of Europe uses 35×45mm. Spain went smaller and stayed consistent. The consequence: a photo taken for a French, German, Italian, or UK document won't work here. Those prints are 35×45mm — 9mm too tall and 9mm too wide.
Get your photos taken at a Spanish fotomatón or with a photographer who knows the local format. Confirm 26×32mm before you pay.
Applying for a Permiso de Conducir Through the DGT
Driving licence renewals in Spain go through the DGT. Two routes.
In person at a Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico. Book a cita previa on the DGT website at sede.dgt.gob.es. Bring your current licence, one recent 26×32mm photo, your DNI or NIE, and a valid medical certificate (informe médico) from an authorised Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores. Pay the ~€25 fee at the Jefatura by card, or beforehand using the tasa form.
Via a gestoría. A gestoría is an administrative agency that handles DGT paperwork on your behalf. You avoid visiting the Jefatura in person. The gestoría forwards your photo with the other documents. The photo still needs to comply — the gestoría will tell you if it doesn't before submitting.
Processing takes 2–4 weeks after submission. Your current licence remains valid during that period. The DGT mails the new card to your registered address.
Spanish Driving Licence Validity by Age
| Licence Category | Validity |
|---|---|
| B (car), A (motorcycle) | 10 years (5 years if over 65) |
| C, D (professional / heavy vehicles) | 5 years |
At 65, validity drops to 5 years for standard categories. The DGT requires more frequent renewal as drivers age — the halved validity period applies automatically without a separate application.
Where to Get a Spain Permiso de Conducir Photo
Any Spanish fotomatón will produce the 26×32mm format. Photo Me booths in metro stations and shopping centres are reliable; the El Corte Inglés chain also has machines. Cost is typically €4–6 for four to six prints.
If your Jefatura de Tráfico appointment is coming up, check whether there's a photo booth inside or nearby — many Jefaturas have one in the building. Take the photo before queuing; you'll need the physical print ready when your number is called.
A photo studio works too. Tell the photographer you need a foto para el carnet de conducir — they'll know the format.
The Informe Médico: Required for Spanish Licence Renewal
The medical certificate is the most commonly forgotten document at DGT appointments. It has nothing to do with the photo, but it's required for every driving licence renewal. The certificate must come from an authorised Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores — not your GP. Validity is typically two years (one year if over 70). Get it before booking your Jefatura appointment.
A compliant photo and a forgotten informe médico still means a wasted appointment.
Common Spain Permiso de Conducir Photo Mistakes
Bringing a 35×45mm photo. The most frequent error. European-format photos from other countries are immediately wrong-sized.
Using an old photo. The DGT checks photo recency. Photos older than six months are frequently rejected at the window.
Printing at home. Inkjet-printed photos on plain paper don't meet the print quality standard. Use a fotomatón or professional studio — photographic paper only.
Can You Wear Glasses in a Spanish Driving Licence Photo?
Spain does not allow glasses in any identity document photo. This applies to the permiso de conducir, the passport, the DNI, and the NIE/TIE. All types of glasses are banned — clear prescription, reading, fashion, and sunglasses.
This is consistent across all Spanish documents and aligns with the growing international trend. Countries like France, Australia, India, and the United States (for passports) have also banned glasses. The reasoning: glasses create reflections, obstruct biometric facial geometry readings around the eyes, and add a variable that complicates automated matching.
If you wear prescription glasses daily, remove them before the photo. Your permiso de conducir photo will show you without glasses, even though you drive with them. This is by design.
Expression and Appearance Rules for Spanish DL Photos
The DGT applies the same biometric expression standard as the passport:
- Mouth closed — no teeth visible, lips together gently
- Neutral expression — no smiling, no frowning
- Eyes open — both eyes fully visible, looking directly at the camera
- No glasses — all types banned
- Hair away from face — forehead visible
- Head coverings — only for documented religious or medical reasons
- No heavy makeup — the photo should represent your everyday appearance
How Spanish Driving Licence Photos Compare to Europe
Spain's 26×32mm format stands out in Europe. Most EU countries use 35×45mm. This means photos from other countries are always wrong for Spain.
| Country | Size | Background | Glasses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 26×32mm | White | Not allowed |
| Germany | 35×45mm | Light grey | Allowed |
| France | 35×45mm | White | Not allowed |
| Italy | 35×45mm | White | Allowed |
| UK | 35×45mm | Light grey | Allowed |
| Poland | 35×45mm | White | Allowed |
If you're arriving in Spain from another EU country, you need new photos. Both the size and (for German/UK arrivals) the background colour will be wrong.
Exchanging a Foreign Licence for a Spanish Permiso
If you've moved to Spain from outside the EU, you may need to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Spanish permiso de conducir. The same photo requirements apply. Bring a 26×32mm photo on white background, no glasses, to your Jefatura appointment.
EU/EEA driving licences are recognised directly in Spain for the duration of their validity. However, if you become a Spanish resident, you should register your EU licence with the DGT — and that process also requires a compliant photo.
Quick Checklist for Spain Permiso de Conducir Photos
- Size: 26×32mm (307×378px at 300 DPI)
- Background: white, plain
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed
- No glasses (any type)
- Photo taken within 6 months
- Photo printed on photographic paper (not inkjet)
- Informe médico obtained from Centro de Reconocimiento
- Cita previa booked at Jefatura de Tráfico
Verify your photo with the passportsize-photo.online checker. For the full Spain requirements, see the Spain hub.
