Can You Wear Glasses for Drivers License Photo

Any ID document such as a driver’s license has to carry your passport photograph of the bearer.

Because of the sensitive nature of these documents, it is required that the bearer’s clear photograph be taken on it. Therefore, can you wear glasses for a driver’s license photo?

No, you cannot wear glasses for a driver’s license photo because it may prevent your facial features from being captured clearly. However, you may be permitted to wear glasses for a driver’s license photo if the glasses are for medical purposes.

Can You Wear Glasses for Drivers License Photo?

No, you are not allowed to wear glasses for your driver’s license photo. If you use glasses, you will be required to remove the glasses before the photo is taken.

However, this does not apply only to glasses; it is the same for contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, you will be required to remove them.

Contact lenses change the color of your eyes and the driver’s license has to capture your natural eye color.

A DMV officer once said that the facial features of every customer taking a driver’s license photo must be completely visible to the camera for the ID photograph. Your eyes, nose, or mouth must not be obstructed by anything at all.

You will be asked to remove your glasses by the DMV if they obstruct your eyes or nose. You cannot wear sunglasses or photo–gray glasses for the photograph.

She also stated that the customers who use eyeglasses for the photographs will not be restricted to the corrective lenses restriction. The same applies to those that are thinking of wearing a hat for a driver’s license photo.

When Should You Wear Glasses for Drivers License Photo?

You can wear glasses for your driver’s license photo if the glasses do not reflect light back or pose an obstruction to your eyes, nose, or mouth.

If it does, best believe you will be mandated to remove the glasses before you photograph for your driver’s license.

However, it is better not to wear glasses. If your glasses are medical, contact a DMV office in your state or you can visit the office and enquire from them.

It is best to hear directly from them because they are the ones that are in the best position to tell you how it should be done.

When Should You Not Wear Glasses for Drivers License Photo?

Do not wear it when the DMV office signifies that you should not. If you wear glasses while taking your photograph for your driver’s license, your facial features might be obstructed and a clear photo will not be produced.

The photograph on your driver’s license has to be as clear as possible to show your facial features and everything on your face, therefore, you are not expected to wear your reading glasses while taking the photo.

Do not wear sunglasses or any form of tinted glasses for your driver’s license photograph. If you make use of glasses that you cannot remove, you have to make sure that your eyes are visible without glare or reflections.

What are the Dos and DON’Ts of clothing while taking a license photo?

  • Do not wear glasses
  • Do not wear any head clothing – scarves, headbands, durags, head warmers, hats, etc.
  • Do not wear any uniform
  • Wear business clothing or a collared shirt
  • Wear a shirt with a high enough neckline that will show in the final photograph.

Disadvantages of Wearing Glasses for a Driver’s License Photo?

If you use glasses and you wear them while taking a photograph for your driver’s license, your facial features will not be captured properly.

If your facial features aren’t captured properly, you will have an incomplete final photograph.

The photograph on your driver’s license has to be a clear identical photo of you and that is why it is recommended that you take off your glasses while taking the photograph.

Although, some workers with the DMV have said that if you wear glasses while driving and you hardly take them off, you might be allowed to wear your glasses during the photo session.

Why Do You Have to Take Your Glasses Off for a Driver’s License?

Customers are required to take off their glasses while taking a photograph for their driver’s license in order to prevent glare issues in the photograph and in order to capture the clearest possible picture of the person.

Not everyone takes off their glasses though. In some cases, it might be possible to take a good photograph of the person without needing to remove the glasses.

Final Thoughts

It is important to follow the instructions provided by the DMV. If you are mandated to remove your glasses for the photograph on your driving license, please do not wear them. Wearing glasses can impede your facial features from being captured properly and this will affect you later on.