UK Bus Pass / Travel Pass

Specifications

FAQ

Bullets are grouped from this country’s requirement text and spec fields. If a topic has no matching lines in our data, we show common international-style guidance—always confirm with your issuer.

1.Photo basics & quality▼

• This preset follows Midlothian Council’s published travel pass photo rules (35 × 45 mm print, cream/light grey background, 29–34 mm crown-to-chin). Other UK authorities often match these — still read your own application.
• Digital for this preset: JPEG, minimum 450 × 600 px; export targets roughly 50–250 KB for typical online uploads — confirm your portal.
• Must not be a cropped enlargement from a tiny face in a wide shot; no heavy beauty filters or edits that change your appearance.
• For physical prints: use good-quality photographic paper when your issuer asks for a print; check name-on-back rules.
• Always verify the latest wording with your council or card issuer.
• Dimensions for this preset: 35 × 45 mm (7:9 (35 × 45 mm)).
• Suggested print resolution: 600 DPI (confirm with your issuer).
• Typical digital file size when specified: 50–250 KB (portal rules may differ).
• Typical digital dimensions when specified: 450 × 600 px (confirm upload requirements).
• A printable physical photo may be required for this document type (when applicable).
• Online submission with a digital file may be required (check the current application flow).
• Photo paper when printing: matte.

2.Pose & expression▼

• No hats unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons; nothing covering the face.
• No sunglasses or tinted glasses; eyes must be visible without glare from glasses.
• Print: 35 mm wide × 45 mm high (UK booth standard). Crown-to-chin in the print: 29–34 mm.
• Head and upper shoulders only; no other people or objects; clear contrast with the background.
• Face the camera; neutral expression with mouth closed; eyes open and visible. No tinted glasses; everyday glasses are OK if eyes show fully without glare.
• Head size in frame: Crown to chin must be 29–34 mm within the 45 mm print (about 64–76% of frame height from the top when your crown sits near the top of the crop).

3.Attire & accessories▼

• No hair in front of your eyes; no head covering except religious or daily medical reasons; avoid red-eye.

4.Lighting & background▼

• Even lighting on face and background — no shadows behind you or on your face.
• Colour; sharp focus; plain cream or light grey background; no shadows on the face or behind you.
• Background (summary): Plain cream or light grey, evenly lit — no shadows on your face or behind you (Midlothian Council / UK travel pass).

5.Children & infants▼

• Children must be alone in the picture; under 6, looking straight at the camera and a neutral expression are not always required.
• No toys or dummy (pacifier) in shot for child photos.

Visual guide

Below are official diagrams from Midlothian Council’s travel pass photo page (many UK issuers use the same 35 × 45 mm rules).

How to make this photo

1. 1.Step 1: Lighting and background

   • —Stand about one metre from the camera. Face a large soft light (e.g. a window) so your face and background are evenly lit.
   • —A plain wall works; cream or light grey is ideal — you can tidy or replace the background in the editor.

2. 2.Step 2: Framing and composition

   • —Head and upper shoulders only — leave a little space above the crown for the official 29–34 mm crown-to-chin band in the 45 mm tall print.
   • —Use the cyan band in the crop: keep your chin between the two solid lines when your crown sits near the dashed top guide.

3. 3.Step 3: Clothing, glasses, and hair

   • —No hats except religious or medical headwear worn daily. Hair must not cover your eyes.
   • —Remove tinted glasses. If you need everyday glasses, reduce glare so the full iris and pupil show.

4. 4.Step 4: Expression, capture, and printing

   • —Neutral expression; mouth closed; avoid smiling. Camera at eye height; look straight into the lens; avoid red-eye (soft or no flash).
   • —Downloads are JPEG; we adjust quality toward the 50–250 KB range while keeping at least 450 × 600 px. For posted prints, use sharp, professional printing on plain white photographic paper with no border unless told otherwise.