You are are aware we all look like criminals in our licence photo. Plus they want to see your ears … 
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On my passport etc I look as if I’ve been dead 150 years… ghastly… 
I’m still alive… honestly 
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There are no specs present on any of my French documents.
I had exactly this conversation with my nephew a few days ago. He said he looked like a mafia hitman on his passport (he does !). I look like a drug dealer and OH looks like an extra from Prisoner cell block H 
.
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That’s because the rules for the lighting, framing and posing of passport photos are strict and involve a similar setup to a police mugshot - i.e. facing directly at the camera, no smiling, etc.
All the usual tricks that we photographers use to make flattering photos are specifically not allowed. 
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UPDATE Received my French licence today in the post! Took a little less than 6 months from start to finish. All the paperwork was accepted no questions asked, including document from DVLA in English which I did not translate. I am happy and relieved. Good to go until 2040 
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Well done Richard, great news.
If you supplied all documents first time then your timeline was about right.
You only need a translation for the DVLA check code if you live in Paris, and then I recommend people get the D737 certificate as it’s only one page to translate, whereas the check code is 3.
OH just got her notification to return her UK license. Applied about 5 months ago which sounds about right. The process was very simple.
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Hi Everyone, wondering if anyone can help with a recommendation of how to get the DVLA driving rights form translated for an application in Paris. I have been asked for a certified translation and the first person I approached was asking for >200 Euro the DVLA document needed to be certified in the UK first, which is pretty impossible. Hoping there is a more pragmatic way or someone has a recommendation of who can do this easily but in a way which conforms? Thanks alot.
I use this link to find local “sworn” translators when required:
Traduction d’un document : comment trouver un traducteur agréé ? | Service-Public.fr
You’ll have to contact the individual translators to get a quote but any I’ve used to date in the Strasbourg area have charged very reasonable rates.
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Before you get your document translated, I recommend that you call the DVLA and ask for the D737 certificate, there’s more info on it and you only have to translate ONE page, the check code is 3.
You have to call them and they will email it to you.
Try these they’re resonable.
Certified translations of official documents French, English, German - online order
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Hi Kim
I’ve messed up I think. My uk licence expired end of September… I applied for my French one in July only to be told it’ll be 6-8 months! I have a reference number and can see on the ANTS site it is in progress. But I’m concerned about driving with an expired licence. I hold a 5 year titre de séjour. Can you clarify where I stand on this? Many thanks
Kim has answered this question a couple of times if you scroll through the thread.
Unless you are 70 I doubt very much it’s your licence, they are two different things, photocard and licence. If it’s just photocard then you can carry on providing your insurance company is ok with insuring you.
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Thanks for this Kim, the company you recommended was ideal and I followed your recommendation on the form, super helpful advice, very much appreciated
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