This year, Beijing has been promoting the usage of digital driver's licenses since September 1.

The digital driver's license will be issued through the "Traffic Management 12123" App (交管12123). According to the procedure, the driver can log in to the app and apply for the digital driver's license within the designated period of validity. If the driving license has been revoked, indefinitely or temporarily due to absence of  physical examination, suspension, need for a retest,   or for any reason not mentioned, the applicant will be ineligible to apply for the digital driver's license.

The application process could entail three possible conditions involving digital photos:

1. Using the photo in the information system to apply: If the photo in the information system meets the requirements, the  "Traffic Management 12123" App (交管12123) will remind the applicant to apply for an electronic driver's license by using the original photos. After the confirmation and verification by the applicant, the  "Traffic Management 12123" App (交管12123) will generate a digital driver's license and display the message "successful application." There are three easy steps:

- Steps 1: Information confirmation;

- Step 2: Real person verification;

- Step 3: Submit the application.

2. Using the photo taken with a cell phone to apply: For the applicant who does not have a suitable photo in the information system, he or she may take a photo and submit the digital one to apply for a digital driver's license. After submitting the photo, the Traffic Management Department of the public security authorities will review it within one working day. If the photo meets the requirements, the "Traffic Management 12123" App (交管12123) will generate a digital driver's license and send the “successful application” notification. It is important to note that the photo should be taken with a white background, with dark clothes, and by someone else. There are four simple steps:

- Step 1: Read the notification;

- Step 2: Take a photo;

- Step 3: Preview and confirmation;

- Step 4: Submit the application.

3. Using a photo from a personal cellphone camera roll or photo gallery to apply: For the applicant who does not have a suitable photo in the information system, he or she may also choose an ID photo from his or her cellphone's photo gallery.  After submitting the photo, the Traffic Management Department of the public security authorities will review it within one working day. If the photo meets the requirements, the "Traffic Management 12123" App (交管12123) will generate a digital driver's license and send the “successful application” notification. There are four steps:

- Step 1: Read the notification;

- Step 2: Choose a photo;

- Step 3: Preview and confirmation;

- Step 4: Submit the application.

Requirements for the Digital Driving License Photo:

1. The photo should be taken with a white background under even lighting, and the applicant should sit upright and looking straight into the camera lens with squared shoulders and a natural facial expression.

2. The photo of the applicant should be taken with dark clothes and without headwear, hair covering the face, unkempt hair, thick makeup,  masks, sunglasses, scarves or accessories.

3. The photo of the applicant should be taken without disorderly or provocative clothing, exaggerated poses, hand gestures or closed eyes.

4. Content, not limited to signs, numbers, letters and characters, that contain messages that go against the construction of socialistic and spiritual civilization, socialist ethics/customs and social order should not be uploaded.

5. Content against the law, regulation and policy of the People's Republic of China should not be uploaded.

6. Photos uploaded should be taken within the last 6 months without filters, photoshop modifications, or other alterations. Composite photos should not be uploaded.

Please take and upload photos in strict accordance with the requirements to avoid delays or possible rejections. For malicious uploading and use of illegal photos, the Traffic Management Department will stop the application for the use of digital driver's license and will deal with it in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Replacing photos, re-application, application at service desk and other special circumstances of digital driver's license:

1. Replacing photos. For the applicant who has applied for a driving license, he or she can voluntarily choose whether to replace the electronic photo or not, and apply to replace the electronic photo after entering the digital driver's license interface on  "Traffic Management 12123" App (交管12123). As the number of people applying for the digital driver's license is high in the early stage of its launch, please try to avoid replacing photos during the peak period of business.

2. Re-application. The applicant needs to re-apply for a digital driver's license after having applied for a new license due to changes in the type , the validity period, and the issuing authority.

3. Application at service window. For  the applicants ineligible to apply for a digital driver's license through the "Traffic Management 12123" App (交管12123) due to some special reasons, he or she can apply at the Traffic Management office where the driving license was issued. The office will issue an electronic driver's license through the "Traffic Management 12123" App (交管12123) after review.

(Note: Content source is from CCTV.com.)