Question 1

How does Vehicle Reference Images operate?

Accepted Answer

Vehicle-ReferenceImages (VRI) provides ready-to-use photos, that you can use in any project you desire, for example, 3D modelling, vehicle restoration, automotive design, AI data sets, etc. All our content comes from our community of contributors and is thoroughly inspected to ensure it meets our high standards.

When you download an image on VRI, you're buying a license that lets you use the file for reference purposes only. Our images are all royalty-free, which means you can use them in as many projects as you want for as long as you want, within the terms of the license.

Question 2

How to check your credit balance?

Accepted Answer

To check the amount of credit you have left, please log into your account. You will find your remaining credit displayed on your My Account page.

Question 3

Why is Two-Factor Authentication Important?

Accepted Answer

In this era of technology, where data violations are common, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is crucial in safeguarding your account against unauthorised entry. Even if an individual succeeds in acquiring your password, they will still require the second factor - an item you possess (such as your mobile phone to receive verification codes) to access your account. This considerably lowers the risk of fraudulent activities, data compromise, or identity theft.

Keep in mind, your safety is our utmost concern. Activate Two Factor Authentication now to make your account even safer.

Question 4

How to enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?

Accepted Answer

Access your account: Input your usual username and password.
Navigate to My Account: It’s generally located at the upper right corner of the webpage.
Locate the Two-Factor Authentication section: Scroll until you reach the Phone section. 
Activate 2FA with your Country and mobile number: Choose your country for the appropriate country code and input your mobile number as you usually would.
Establish your authentication method: A verification message will be dispatched to your mobile device.
Finalise the setup: Input the verification code received on your phone to confirm its functionality.
Toggle the feature on or off: Once you’ve successfully logged in, you have the option to enable or disable it whenever you want.

Question 5

What’s the procedure if my phone is inaccessible for 2FA verification?

Accepted Answer

Should you encounter any problems, feel free to get in touch with us. Our support team is readily available and can be reached via the contact form on our website.

Question 6

Understanding Buyer and Seller Accounts.

Accepted Answer

What is a Buyer Account? A Buyer Account is designed for individuals or businesses who wish to purchase images from our platform. With a Buyer Account, you have access to our extensive library of images, which you can browse, select, and buy for your personal use.

What is a Seller Account? A Seller Account is for those who want to sell their images on our platform. As a seller, you can upload your images and earn royalties whenever someone purchases your images. Additionally, Seller Accounts have the capability to purchase images from other sellers, just like a Buyer Account.

The main differences are:
Buyer Account:
Can purchase images.
Cannot sell images.

Seller Account:
Can sell images and earn royalties.
Can purchase images from other sellers.

Question 7

Are there any fees associated with switching to a Seller Account?

Accepted Answer

Generally, there are no fees for upgrading to a Seller Account, but the platform may take a commission on each sale you make. For more details, please review our pricing and commission structure in this FAQ section.

By understanding these differences, you can choose the account type that best suits your needs, whether you're looking to buy high-quality images or to sell your own and earn royalties in the process.

Question 8

How do I upgrade from a Buyer to a Seller Account?

Accepted Answer

If you’ve already signed up as a buyer and are now considering the possibility of becoming a seller, we’re here to assist you. We understand that our users may wish to explore new opportunities and expand their roles on our platform.

As a buyer, you’ve gained valuable insights into the marketplace, understood the dynamics, and experienced the customer journey firsthand. These experiences can be incredibly beneficial if you decide to become a seller.

If you’re interested in becoming a seller, we encourage you to get in touch with us. Please visit our Contact Us page and send us a message expressing your interest.

The team we currently have will undertake the required actions to transition your account. They will ensure a smooth and uninterrupted process as they activate your seller account. This will allow you to upload images and earn royalties.

Question 9

If I switch to a Seller Account, do I lose any functionality from my Buyer Account?

Accepted Answer

No, switching to a Seller Account adds additional functionality to your existing Buyer Account. You will still be able to purchase images just as before, but you'll also gain the ability to sell your own images.

Question 10

How do I reset my password?

Accepted Answer

To reset your password, go to the vehicle-referenceimages/Sign in page, enter your registered email address, and select ‘Forgot your password?’. You will receive an email with a link to change your password. If you don't receive the email, check your spam folder. If it's still missing, provide us with your account information, and we’ll investigate.

Question 11

How to erase my vehicle-referenceimages account?

Accepted Answer

While a VRI account offers various advantages, there might be instances where you find it necessary to permanently delete your account.

Should you not have an active plan, you have the option to delete your account. Simply navigate to My Account, locate the Delete Account button, and follow the steps outlined there.

When you delete your account, we'll remove all personal data from our system. However, if you've previously uploaded content to vehicle-referenceimages.com, we're legally required to keep any images you've uploaded, see Terms & Conditions. Keep in mind that deleting your account means losing access to any remaining downloads and royalty benefits.

Question 12

Searching for images.

Accepted Answer

To find pictures on vehicle-referenceimages, just type words related to what you're looking for in the search bar at the top. You can then refine your search by selecting All, Exterior or Interior to get more specific results.

After you input a keyword, we’ll display search results associated with that term. To refine your search and find exactly what you need, you can use our additional filter button to apply more filters to your search results.

If your search doesn't find any results, you might be too specific or looking for something not yet uploaded. If you used multiple keywords, try using just one or two that describe your search well. If you added filters, like make and model or year, consider removing them to broaden your search.

Question 13

Are there any restrictions in place?

Accepted Answer

We have a few guidelines, and you can read about them in the Terms & Conditions.

Question 14

Am I allowed to use images that I’ve downloaded from social media sites?

Accepted Answer

Several customers come to our website with an existing plan for their purchases. It’s important, though, to familiarise themselves with our image download policies to ensure appropriate usage.

Question 15

Am I allowed to use VRI images on social media?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use VRI images on social media platforms like Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Pinterest, blogs, and Snapchat. Please ensure you give proper credit for any images from VRI according to the specified format.

Question 16

What is prohibited?

Accepted Answer

Several restrictions apply when sharing images from VRI on social media. These consist of:

Utilising content from vehicle-referenceimages on any website asserting ownership of the material.
Engaging with vehicle-referenceimages content in a manner inconsistent with the terms outlined in the Terms & Conditions.

At VRI, we hope you take pleasure in sharing the images you've acquired from our platform. We also believe that these images will receive great attention when shared appropriately on various social media platforms.

Question 17

If I cancel my plan, am I still allowed to use the downloaded images?

Accepted Answer

The image license grants you continuous rights to use the images you license. After downloading them, you can use the images continuously, regardless of whether you have an active plan with vehicle- referenceimages.

Find out additional information about our License Agreements here.

Question 18

Will I retain the right to resell my images?

Accepted Answer

If your content is accepted on vehicle-referenceimages, it's exclusively for their use. This means you're not allowed to license the same content to other platforms or partners.

Question 19

Is it possible for me to delete an uploaded image on vehicle-referenceimages?

Accepted Answer

If you upload an image to VRI and it gets published, you are giving vehicle-referenceimages the ongoing right to distribute that image indefinitely.

Question 20

What types of plans are available on VRI?

Accepted Answer

Given the vast variety of vehicles in the world, it’s essential to have a creative platform tailored to your unique requirements. VRI boasts a broad array of vehicle images, but we understand that each user needs are distinct. That’s why we offer several options. Here’s a concise summary of each plan, along with some pointers to assist you in determining the best fit for you.

To download an image, you only need one credit per image. It’s that simple. Buying more credits means paying less per credit. See the credit pack pricing for more details. Your credits remain valid indefinitely as long as your account is active with us.

Pay as you go credit packs.

For those engaged in a singular project or brief assignment, opting for a prepaid credit pack proves to be an ideal solution. You can acquire credits in sets of 20, 50, 80, 150, 300 and 650 streamlining your experience through a one-time purchase while also enjoying the convenience of easily renewing credits. This grants you the flexibility to oversee your account at your preferred pace. If you need many images, you should buy a bigger pack, as your cost per download will drop considerably with a larger pack.

Month-to-month plan.

If you need a consistent supply of images each month, our monthly plans are ideal. These plans offer a range of credit options and can be cancelled at any time without incurring extra charges.

Every monthly subscription will be billed on the same calendar day each month. This means that if you started your subscription on a particular date, such as the 26th of June, the system would automatically renew your subscription on the 26th of all subsequent months.

However, it’s important to note that there’s no long-term obligation associated with our monthly plans. You retain complete control over your subscription and have the freedom to cancel at any point in time.

Remember, our goal is to provide flexibility and convenience, so you can enjoy our services without any worries about commitment. We value your trust and strive to provide a seamless experience. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.

Question 21

Remaining downloads

Accepted Answer

Your subscription entitles you to a specific number of downloads. If you decide to cancel your rolling monthly plan, any credits you’ve bought will remain yours. As long as your account is active, your credits will never expire.

Question 22

How to stop my current subscription?

Accepted Answer

We offer plans without the need for an annual commitment. This includes pay as you go credit packs and monthly subscriptions, which can be cancelled anytime by navigating to Cancel plan in your My Account page.

Question 23

Is there a cancellation fee associated with vehicle-referenceimages services?

Accepted Answer

Cancelling a plan at the end of its term incurs no cancellation fees, specifically for subscriptions with month-to-month billing. This is possible without any extra charges as the plan has been fully paid for either at the time of purchase or through automated billing.

Question 24

When is the billing date if my plan auto-renew?

Accepted Answer

For plans that have a monthly billing cycle, the charge is made every month. For user convenience and to maintain continuous service, our plans that operate on a month-to-month basis feature automated renewal and billing.

Every monthly subscription will be billed on the same calendar day each month. This means that if you started your subscription on a particular date, such as the 26th of June, the system would automatically renew your subscription on the 26th of all subsequent months.

Question 25

What happens to my account when I cancel my plan?

Accepted Answer

Keeping your account open after your plan is cancelled has some perks. You can still use your account to view your collections and download histories.

If you go ahead and delete your account after ending your plan, you will forfeit any remaining downloads and your licensing history when your account is gone. To learn more about account deletion, click here.

Question 26

Requesting a refund

Accepted Answer

VRI has a no-refund policy for all purchases. But UK and EU customers have the right to ask for a refund within 14 days of their purchase, if they have not used any downloads or credits from the plan. After 14 days or once the plan is used, the purchase is final and cannot be refunded.

Refunds can take up to 3-5 business days to reach your customer's credit card/bank account, depending on the financial institution.

Write to us using our Contact Us form to make a request.

Question 27

What should I do if I have payment issues?

Accepted Answer

If you have payment issues, please use the Contact Us form to detail your problem, and we’ll work with you to find a solution.

Question 28

Do I pay in my local currency?

Accepted Answer

You will be billed in GBP (UK pound sterling) regardless of your location or region.

Question 29

Do I need to manually request my payment?

Accepted Answer

No, you don't need to manually request your payment. Our system automatically calculates and deposits payouts directly into your PayPal account, ensuring you receive your earnings without any extra steps.

Question 30

How can I acquire an image?

Accepted Answer

Upon finding the image you’re interested in, you can either add it to your cart for later purchase or buy it immediately. You also have the option to click on the image for more details, where you can choose to either add it to your cart or proceed to buy. By using the Add to Cart feature, you can compile all the images you need and buy them all at once. All your bought images can be found in the My Images page.

Please note that the My Images button will not be visible if you’re not logged into your account. Once you’re signed in, you can browse through your purchased images and download them directly from the My Images page.

Question 31

What are the steps to download images?

Accepted Answer

Explore our extensive collection of images freely without any subscription or account. When you decide to download images, simply sign up and select a subscription plan that suits your requirements.

Downloading your images is a straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow. All your bought images can be found in the My Images section.

Log into your account.
Navigate to My Images.
Your purchased images will be displayed.
Click on the Download button and the image will be instantly downloaded to your chosen folder.

Question 32

How can I retrieve the images that I’ve already paid for?

Accepted Answer

The process of purchasing an image from VRI is both user-friendly and permanent. Be at ease knowing that once you’ve purchased an image, it’s yours to keep. Should it ever become lost or corrupted, you have the option to redownload it at no cost from the My Images section, regardless of the status of your subscription. Redownloads don’t count towards any active plans you might have, so you won’t be double charged for an image you’ve already licensed.

However, if you opt to delete your account, you’ll lose the ability to redownload images.

Question 33

What categories of images do you allow?

Accepted Answer

Only reference photographs of vehicles are accepted by VRI, which might be used for purposes such as 3D modelling, restoring vehicles or AI data sets.

We’re on the lookout for images with a high level of detail that capture every possible element. It’s important to note that we do not accept images that are AI-generated.

Question 34

The Photographer’s Checklist: Key Requirements.

Accepted Answer

Obtain permission from the owner before proceeding.
Ensure both the exterior and interior of the vehicle are thoroughly cleaned.
Remove any personal items from the interior before capturing images.
Eliminate any identification elements, such as number plates and serial numbers.
Avoid submitting photos with blurred images.
Submit only high-resolution images; ensure a minimum of 20-35 megapixels for sharpness and clarity. Capture every detail possible in your photos.
Provide close-up shots with optimal detail and clarity by submitting high-resolution images. Aim for a recommended range of 35-50 megapixels to capture every detail in your photos.
Use only your own images for submission.
Capture photos in a well-lit open environment to showcase the vehicle effectively.
Avoid adding grain, vignettes, fake lens flares, film scratches, etc., as these may lead to rejection during the evaluation process.
Maintain natural colours in your photos.
We kindly suggest that you upload images in the JPEG format. While we do accept other formats, JPEG is our top preference. Also, please ensure that each image does not exceed 15 megabytes.

We have prepared a simple guide on photography, which is readily available for your viewing or downloading. This guide serves as a checklist, detailing the specific types of images that we are interested in. It is designed to assist you in understanding our image requirements, thereby ensuring that the photos you submit align with our expectations. This resource is a valuable tool for anyone looking to contribute images that meet our criteria. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a beginner, this guide can provide you with the necessary direction and clarity. So, feel free to view or download it at your convenience.

Question 35

How can I upload my image(s) to VRI?

Accepted Answer

Vehicle Reference Images is constantly on the hunt for fresh content to enrich our collection. You can contribute images to VRI at no cost. To submit your images for our review, you need to have an account with vehicle-referenceimages. Submitting photos to VRI is an easy task. You just need to upload your images, complete with descriptions and keywords. Your submissions, once they satisfy our criteria, will be featured on our website.

Step One: Upload your image(s).

While we do accept various formats, JPEG is our preferred image format. We accept images with a minimum size of 20 megapixels (MP). You can directly upload these images from the Upload page by clicking on the + Select Images button. The uploading window on the Upload page allows you to add a maximum of 30 images at once. Once the images have been chosen, select the Upload button.

Step Two: Inserting additional metadata.

Once you’ve chosen your images for upload, it’s essential to assign titles and descriptions. Ensuring all necessary fields are filled is key to a successful upload. You can assign unique keywords to each image, which assists users in locating your images with ease. This set of information, termed as metadata, plays a pivotal role in enabling others to find your photos. When you select the Update entry button, it allows you to securely store the metadata associated with each image.

Step Three: Upload your image(s)

After preparing your image(s), just press the Submit button to send it for review.

Question 36

What’s the estimated time for the evaluation of my photos?

Accepted Answer

The assessment process typically spans 2-4 weeks due to its complexity. During peak times, this duration might extend by a few days.

Images that pass the evaluation will be automatically displayed on your profile, while those that don't won't appear. Rejection of images usually occurs due to issues related to quality, intellectual property, or lack of variety.

Question 37

What are the meanings behind the rejection reasons?

Accepted Answer

Visit your Dashboard to check out all your submissions. This is your go-to place to track the status of your submissions, whether they're Pending, Approved, or Rejected.

If an image is rejected, you'll find a remark in the feedback area explaining the reason.

Quality: This criterion addresses one or more of the following:
Does not meet our established quality standards.
Excessive modifications.
Unsuitable subject matter.

Our team is unable to provide individualised feedback on Quality. Please note, we uphold high standards, making our acceptance process highly selective.

Similar: This indicates the image is too similar to other accepted submissions.

Other: This criterion covers:
The image is already in our database.
The subject matter does not align with our requirements.
The subject matter isn't essential for the library.

When images are rejected under Other, it typically means there's no issue with the image quality or content, but the image simply isn't needed for our collection.

Question 38

What should I do if my image submission is rejected?

Accepted Answer

If your image submission is rejected, please refer to our Photography Guide PDF for guidance on the types of images we’re looking for. Our team assesses every image based on quality, usability, uniqueness, the make of the vehicle, and its condition. We're committed to clearly communicating our library’s needs.

Question 39

What should I do if the vehicle I'm looking for is not listed in the database?

Accepted Answer

If you can't find the vehicle you're looking for in our database, we're here to help! Please provide us with the following details to help us update our database and better assist you:

Make: The manufacturer of the vehicle (e.g., Toyota, Ford, Honda).
Model: The specific model of the vehicle (e.g., Camry, Mustang, Civic).
Category: The classification of the vehicle (e.g., Helicopter, SUV, Truck).

By providing these details, you enable us to quickly locate and add the vehicle to our database, ensuring you get the information or service you need. Please submit this information through our Contact Us.

Question 40

What’s the process behind the royalty system?

Accepted Answer

Our platform operates on a royalty-based system, which is designed to reward content creators for their work. Here’s how it functions: when you, as a content creator, submit an image and it is subsequently sold, you are entitled to a royalty payment. This payment is a percentage of the sale price, acknowledging your contribution to the content that we offer.

We take our commitment to our users seriously, and as part of this, we conduct regular reviews of each user’s royalty payouts. This is to ensure fairness and transparency in our payment process.

The timeframe for receiving royalty payouts can vary. It largely depends on the number of images you’ve sold. The larger the volume of images sold, the greater the chance of you receiving a payout and being able to request a payment.

After you submit your images, they undergo a review process which typically takes between 2 to 4 weeks. If your images are accepted, they become available for purchase by other users on our platform. When your images are bought, you will receive a royalty payment. This payment reflects the value your work brings to our platform and its users.

You can track your earnings through the My Account section on our platform. This feature provides a convenient way for you to manage and track your earnings from the sale of your images. It’s our way of ensuring that you are rewarded for your creativity and effort.

Question 41

What is the amount you receive from royalties?

Accepted Answer

As a contributor on VRI, you will earn a percentage of the price that VRI receives for licensing your content, which is equivalent to 35%. The more customers purchase content from your portfolio, the more earnings you will accumulate.

The amount you earn from each download is primarily determined by the type of plan used by the customer. The most common plans offered on our site are month-to-month and pay as you go packs, which come in a variety of sizes. The type of plan and the rate at which the customer bought credits are key factors in determining your earnings.

You can view your earnings as a contributor on the My Account page of your account.

Question 42

What are the possible payment options for receiving funds?

Accepted Answer

At present, VRI accepts payments through the following method: PayPal.

To set this up, all that’s required is the email linked to your PayPal account. This can be configured in the My Account section.

Question 43

Privacy

Accepted Answer

At VRI, we understand the significance of safeguarding the personal data that we gather or that you share with us. Kindly refer to our Privacy Policy here.

The GDPR has several primary goals:

Boost individuals’ control and rights over their personal data.
Streamline the rules for international commerce.
Ensure that personal data is used in a fair, legal, transparent manner, and for specific, explicit purposes.
Ensure that personal data is accurate, current, and retained only as long as necessary.
Offer stronger legal protection for more sensitive data, such as race, ethnic origin, political views, religious beliefs, trade union membership, genetics, biometrics, health, sex life, or orientation.

The regulation is applicable to any organisation that collects or processes the personal data of individuals in the EU, irrespective of whether the organisation is based in the EU. It also applies to organisations outside the EU if they collect or process personal data of individuals located within the
 
EU. Individuals have the right to access their personal data, have incorrect data corrected, have data deleted, and object to how their data is processed, among other rights.

At vehicle-referenceimages, safeguarding the privacy of our community is at the heart of our operations.

We are in alignment with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Our adherence to GDPR doesn’t modify your process of downloading or utilising photos - it merely restricts the volume of data we gather and enhances our clarity about the data we collect.

Question 44

Security

Accepted Answer

Rest assured; your data is safe. This website, built on the Wix platform, integrates the latest security features, and employs reliable, community-created tools for safeguarding resources. We also collaborate with the broader security community to identify and rectify any security vulnerabilities. If you believe you’ve found a security issue or bug(s) in VRI, we encourage you to report it through our Contact Us page.

Question 45

Do you have further inquiries or feedback?

Accepted Answer

If you have any inquiries or feedback regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, or if you wish to request access or corrections, exercise any relevant rights, or lodge a complaint, please visit our Contact Us page.

Frequently Asked Questions