UK Bus Pass Photo Requirements

Applying for an older person’s bus pass, disabled person’s bus pass or another concessionary travel card? You will normally need a recent colour photo taken within 6 months that clearly shows your face.

Photo rules are set by the council or travel scheme processing your application. Some ask for a passport-sized 35 × 45 mm photo, while others accept a normal digital head-and-shoulders picture.

Check your application instructions before printing or resizing the photo.

What Photo Do You Need?

A suitable bus pass photo should usually:

• Be recent

• Be in colour (Black and white photos will not be accepted and will result in your application being returned to you or put on hold.)

• Clearly show your face

• Include your head and shoulders

• Be sharp and well lit

• Have a plain background

• Show only you

• Look like your current appearance

The photo is used to confirm that the travel pass belongs to you, so the most important requirement is that you are easy to recognise.

Does a Bus Pass Photo Have to Be 35 × 45 mm?

Not always.

A standard passport-sized photo measures 35 mm wide by 45 mm high, and this size is accepted or requested by some UK bus pass schemes.

Other councils simply ask for a recent digital photograph without giving exact measurements. Some online application forms also allow you to crop the image during the upload process.

Use the 35 × 45 mm format when your application asks for:

• A passport-sized photo

• A passport-style photo

• A 35 × 45 mm photo

• A printed identity photo

When your council provides different dimensions or upload rules, follow those instead.

Can You Use a Phone to take my UK Bus Pass Photo?

Yes. A modern smartphone can usually produce a suitable bus pass photo.

Before taking the picture:

• Clean the camera lens

• Turn off beauty filters

• Avoid portrait-mode background effects

• Hold the phone vertically

• Keep the camera at eye level

• Use the highest available image quality

The rear camera often produces a clearer image than the front camera.

Can You Use a Selfie?

This depends on the council.

Some councils accept any clear digital image that shows your face, while others prefer a passport-style photograph.

Selfies can look distorted when the camera is held too close. They may also crop out the shoulders or save as a mirrored image.

For a more reliable result, use a timer or ask another person to take the photo.

Glasses, Head Coverings and Expression

Your face must remain easy to recognise.

Glasses are usually acceptable when:

• Your eyes are clearly visible

• There is no glare

• The frames do not cover your eyes

• The lenses are not heavily tinted

Remove your glasses if reflections cannot be avoided.

Religious or medical head coverings are normally acceptable when they do not hide your face or cast strong shadows.

Use a natural expression and look directly at the camera. When your application specifically requests a passport-style photo, a neutral expression with your mouth closed is the safest choice.

Make a Bus Pass Photo With 123PassportPhoto

123PassportPhoto can help you crop and prepare a 35 × 45 mm photo for a bus pass application that asks for a passport-sized image.

Step 1: Check the Required Format

Before uploading your picture, confirm what your council asks for.

Look for details about:

• Photo dimensions

• Digital or printed submission

• Accepted file type

• Maximum file size

• How recent the photo must be

Do not assume that every council uses the same digital specifications.

Step 2: Upload a Clear Original Photo

Choose a recent image with your full head, face and shoulders visible.

The photo should be:

• Clear and in focus

• Taken from directly in front

• Evenly lit

• Free from strong shadows

• Taken against a plain background

• Large enough to crop

Avoid screenshots, social-media copies and photos taken from an existing identity card.

Step 3: Process the photo

123PassportPhoto center you face automatically and crop you photo to the right dimensions.

Step 4: Download or Print

Choose the digital or printable option that matches your application.

123PassportPhoto can prepare a 35 × 45 mm image and a printable photo layout. 

Common Photo Problems

You may be asked to provide another photo when:

• The image is blurred

• Your face is too dark

• Part of your head is cropped

• Your eyes are hidden

• There is glare on your glasses

• The photo is too old

• Another person appears

• The background is distracting

• The image has been stretched

• A filter has changed your appearance

• The file does not meet the upload requirements

Before You Submit

Check that:

• The photo is recent

• It shows your current appearance

• Your face is clear

• Your head and shoulders are visible

• You are facing the camera

• The lighting is even

• The background is plain

• No other person appears

• The image has not been distorted

• The size and file format match your application

Frequently Asked Questions

What size photo do I need for a UK bus pass?

It depends on the council or travel scheme. Some ask for a 35 × 45 mm passport-sized photo, while others accept a recent digital head-and-shoulders image.

Can I use a passport photo?

Yes, provided the photo is recent, still looks like you and meets the requirements of your bus pass application.

Do not copy the photograph from inside your passport. Use the original photo file or a separate printed copy.

Can I take the photo at home?

Yes. A phone or digital camera is normally sufficient when the photo is clear, well lit and taken against a plain background.

How recent should the photo be?

The exact period varies. Some councils ask for a photo taken within six months, while others accept one taken within the previous 12 months.

Use a new photo when your appearance has changed.

Does the background have to be white?

Not necessarily. A plain, pale or light neutral background is normally suitable unless your council gives a specific instruction.

Sources

GOV.UK – Apply for an older person’s bus pass
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-elderly-person-bus-pass

Kent County Council – Apply for an older person’s bus pass
https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/travelling-around-kent/bus-travel/bus-passes-and-tickets/bus-passes-for-older-or-disabled-people/apply-for-an-older-persons-bus-pass

Oxfordshire County Council – Bus pass photo guidance
https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/public-transport/bus-passes/bus-pass-photo-guidance

London Freedom Pass – What I need to apply
https://www.freedompass.org/apply-pass/older-persons-freedom-pass/what-i-need-apply

123PassportPhoto – UK Bus Pass Photo Maker
https://www.123passportphoto.com/photo-requirements.php?country=GB&type=Passport%20photo%20for%20bus%20pass

Important

Bus pass photo rules vary by council, location and travel scheme. The instructions shown on your official application form always take priority over general guidance.