Scan a driving licence to PDF (both sides, no glare)

Car rentals, insurance claims, employer records — the driving licence is among the most-copied cards in a wallet. It's also one of the shiniest, with holograms designed to bounce light. Here's how to get a copy where every field reads clearly.

The routine

1. Dark, matte background; card flat.
2. Shoot from directly above. If a hologram streak covers text, slide the card 10–15 cm sideways relative to the light and shoot again — the streak moves off the text.
3. Scan front, Add page, scan back in ToPDF.
4. Verify the licence number, validity dates and categories are all legible at full size (tap the page thumbnail to view it large).
5. Name it usefully — the printed name is often auto-suggested — and download.

What checkers actually look for

• Photo and name clearly visible, no crop cutting the portrait.
• Numbers and dates sharp — the usual rejection reason is a blurry expiry date.
• Both sides when categories/endorsements print on the back (most cards).
• No editing. Enhancement that cleans lighting is normal; anything that alters content is a red flag for verifiers and for you legally.

Licence copies and privacy

A licence exposes your full name, birth date, address (in many countries) and a photo — a tidy identity-theft kit. Prefer on-device scanning (no server copies), share through the requester's official channel, and if a website only needs age or name, ask whether a partial/redacted copy is acceptable. More in sharing ID copies safely.

Frequently asked questions

Rental companies abroad — PDF or physical?

You must carry the physical licence to drive, but a PDF copy speeds up counter paperwork and is invaluable if the card is lost or stolen mid-trip. Store one in your emergency kit — see the travel backup guide.

The hologram makes a rainbow over my photo. Rejection risk?

A faint rainbow sheen is normal and accepted; a white glare blob that hides features is not. Re-shoot with the card shifted relative to the light until the blob moves off the portrait and text.