I think this story belongs in the file, “why in the world would you do such a thing?”
According to The Washington Post, the Virginia DMV has banned smiling in license in ID card photos.
Few places in Virginia are as draining to the soul and as numbing to the buttocks as the branch offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles. And yet, until recently, smiling was still permitted there.
No more. As part of the DMV’s effort to develop super-secure driver’s licenses and foolproof identification cards, the agency has issued a smile ban, directing customers to adopt a “neutral expression” in their portraits, thereby extinguishing whatever happiness comes with finally hearing one’s number called.
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You know Delaware does this too, right?
I have never smiled in a license pic. why? becasue if i get pulled over do you think i am going to look happy.
I didn’t realize that, but looking at my license, you are correct. I can see the logic that they are going for with this type of policy, but continue to be amazed at what is being legislated these days.
They claim that it is for the benefit of facial recognition software.
I was just a victim of this silly policy in Delaware at the DMV! I went to change my address, and was told I had to get my photo re-taken because of their “new no smile policy” for their facial recognition technology. You can imagine how grumpy I looked in this photo after having to stand in line for 90 minutes.