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Applying for a Learner's Licence or Driving Licence (DL) online through the Sarathi Parivahan portal is simple, until you reach the document upload step.
Thousands of applicants get stuck with errors like "File size should be between 10KB and 20KB" or "Invalid dimensions". Because it's a government ID, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) enforces strict digital image constraints.
If you are struggling to resize your photo, this guide breaks down the exact requirements and provides a one-click automated tool to fix it.
1. Official Parivahan Photo Rules (2026)
Before you upload, ensure your photo and signature meet these exact technical specifications.
Photo Requirements:
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| File Format | JPEG / JPG only |
| File Size Limit | 10 KB to 20 KB |
| Dimensions (WxH) | 35 mm x 45 mm (Width x Height) |
| Background | White or Light Blue |
| Face Coverage | 70% to 80% face visibility |
Signature Requirements:
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| File Format | JPEG / JPG only |
| File Size Limit | 10 KB to 20 KB |
| Dimensions (WxH) | 30 mm x 10 mm (Width x Height) |
| Ink Color | Black or Dark Blue pen on a blank white box |
[!WARNING] Standard mobile photos are usually 2MB to 5MB. Trying to shrink a 5MB image to under 20KB using basic tools often results in an unreadable blur. You must use an exact dimension crop first!
2. Why Does the Portal Reject Your Photo?
The Sarathi Parivahan system runs an automated check. The top 3 reasons for rejection are:
- Over 20KB Size: The strict 20-kilobyte restriction is incredibly small. Most modern smartphones take selfies that are hundreds of times larger than this limit.
- Wrong Aspect Ratio: Scanning a physical passport photo often trims the edges, making the width-to-height ratio incorrect.
- PDF/PNG Uploads: The portal explicitly rejects PNGs or PDFs for the photo/signature section, even if they are under 20KB.
3. How to Auto-Resize for Parivahan Without Losing Quality
Instead of downloading Photoshop or paying an e-Mitra shop just to edit a picture, you can use our built-in Driving Licence Resizer which is pre-coded with Parivahan rules.
Step-by-Step Fix:
- Open the Tool: Go to the Driving Licence Resizer.
- Upload Photo: Select your selfie or scanned photo.
- Smart Crop: The tool will automatically force a
35x45mmcrop box over your face. Drag it to align properly. - Auto-Compress: Our system automatically compresses the image algorithmically to land exactly between
10KBand20KBwhile keeping your face sharp. - Download: Save the resulting JPEG and upload it to the Sarathi portal instantly.
The exact same process works for your signature file using the 30x10mm constraints.
4. Helpful Tips for Driving Licence Photos
If this is your first time applying for an Indian Driving Licence online, keep these tips in mind:
- No Glasses: Avoid wearing thick-framed glasses. If you must wear glasses, ensure there is absolutely no flash reflection on the lenses.
- Signature Box: Draw a small rectangle (about 3cm x 1cm) on a blank white sheet of paper. Sign inside this box. This makes cropping 10x easier and guarantees the proportions will match the portal's expectation.
- Aadhaar e-KYC: In many states, if you opt for Aadhaar e-KYC authentication, your Aadhaar photo will automatically be fetched as your Driving Licence photo, allowing you to skip this upload step entirely!
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DocSet Team
✓ VerifiedExperts in Document Processing & Government Exam Specifications. We research official notifications from SSC, UPSC, IBPS, and other bodies to provide accurate, up-to-date image resizing and document preparation guidelines.
