The Russian driver licence photo specification
Set by ГИБДД (the traffic police regulator) and Order #80 of 20 February 2021, the photo for a Russian national driver licence (НВУ or "национальное водительское удостоверение") must be:
- Size: 30 × 40 mm (commonly written 3 × 4 cm)
- Background: plain matte white, no shadows
- Face area: 70 to 80 percent of frame height
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Head position: straight to camera, no tilt
- Glasses: allowed if worn daily, no tinted lenses, frames should not obscure the eyes
- Headwear: not allowed except for documented religious reasons
- Print finish: matte mandatory
- Quantity: 1 print for the file, but most ГИБДД desks ask for 1 to 2 spares
- Recency: within the last 6 months
The driver licence photo is the only Russian document where 30 × 40 (not 35 × 45) is the standard. Bringing a 35 × 45 photo from your residency application file does not work,the traffic police want the smaller format.
Two paths to a Russian licence for foreigners
Path 1: Exchange your foreign licence
If you hold a licence from a country with a bilateral agreement (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and several others), you can exchange directly without theory exams in many cases. Driver licence categories above B (truck, bus, motorcycle) may still require a category-specific exam. Photo requirement is identical to the new licence path.
Path 2: Fresh Russian licence with theory and practical tests
If your country has no exchange agreement (UK, most EU, USA, many Asian and Latin American countries), you take Russian theory and practical exams at any registered driving school in Moscow. Then ГИБДД issues a Russian licence. Photo requirement is the same 30 × 40 mm.
Either path: bring the photo to your ГИБДД appointment.
How we prepare your driver licence photo
Session is 15 to 25 minutes in studio or 30 to 45 minutes in-home. The Russian driver licence photo has tighter face-area rules than passport photos in many countries, so we shoot specifically for this format rather than cropping a generic ID photo down. You leave with:
- 4 matte 30 × 40 mm prints (1 for the application packet, 2 spares for ГИБДД desk, 1 archive)
- One JPEG digital file in case future re-print is needed
If the ГИБДД desk rejects the photo for any reason, we re-shoot at no charge for 60 days.
Pricing
Studio session, prints plus digital: from 1 500 ₽ (about 18 USD or 16 EUR).
In-home or in-hotel: from 3 500 ₽ (about 42 USD or 38 EUR).
Same-day urgent: add 500 ₽.
Combined pack with Russian residency photo (4× 35 × 45 + 4× 30 × 40): from 2 500 ₽ (about 30 USD or 27 EUR). Most applicants who get a Russian licence are also applying for or renewing residency.
Try our free online photo tool first
Our free in-browser photo tool includes a preset for the 30 × 40 driver licence format. Upload a recent selfie, the tool crops, removes background, replaces with white and exports a JPEG. Print on matte paper at any Moscow photo lab.
FAQ
Can I use my IDP (International Driving Permit) photo for the Russian licence?
No. IDP photos are usually 4.5 × 6 cm, glossy and printed by the original issuing country. Russian standard is 3 × 4 cm matte.
I exchange my UK licence under the agreement. Do I still need a fresh photo?
Yes. ГИБДД issues the Russian licence on Russian-format photo. Your UK photo stays on the UK licence.
What if I lose the Russian licence and need a replacement?
Same photo format applies. ГИБДД expects a recent photo for the replacement file.
Do children under 18 need a Russian driver photo?
Only category M (moped) is available under 18, and yes the same 30 × 40 photo applies.
Can I use the Russian driver licence photo for other Russian documents?
No. The Russian driver licence is the only document at this size. Residency, citizenship, RVP, VNZH and most other Russian documents use 35 × 45.
What if I need an urgent replacement licence the same week?
We offer same-day studio sessions with 1-hour print turnaround. Photo ready by lunchtime for an afternoon ГИБДД appointment.
Related services
If you are applying for a Russian licence as part of broader expat residency, see Russian residency photos guide. For other expat document photos including bank account opening, see document photos for foreigners in Moscow.
Book a session
Message +7 927 624-99-67 on WhatsApp or use the chat at the bottom of the page. Mention "Russian driver licence" and your ГИБДД appointment date.