According to a report in today’s Washington Post the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has instituted a ban on smiling for driver’s licenses as part of a switch to facial recognition software.

Normally there are probably very few people smiling when they go to the DMV in the first place, but the ban on smiling for driver’s licenses seems a little extreme to say the least and turns the photos into a mug shot.  As part of the smile ban any attempt to show teeth or smirk will be rejected by the computer forcing the patron to retake their picture until the machine accepts it.

Virginia is hoping to develop what the Post refers to as a super-secure driver’s license and foolproof identification cards to help them combat fraud and identity theft.  In order to do so officials hope to develop facial recognition software that would compare faces over a period of time and neutral expressions work best when using the software, thus the smile ban.

For patrons there has been little joy in Mudville so to speak as they will now carry a more dour photo of themselves for the next 8 years as their official form of identification. 

For me it’s kind of sad.  One of my prized possessions is my father’s driver’s license with his smiling face.  The last thing I would have wanted is a picture of him looking like a common criminal that he was forced to submit to. 

 

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

About the author

2 Comments for VA DMV Bans Smiles