If you happen to live in New Jersey, try not to lose that drivers license especially if you happen to love how your current picture looks.
The sheer numbers of licensed drivers make it impossible to check manually to ensure no one has two licenses, they have resorted to using software.
And smiling wreaks havoc on their facial recognition software, so subjects for the cameras that state’s dept of motor vehicles are not allowed to smile.
That’s really a shame that we may have to cave into practicality.
Why is this a big deal?
Consider this: what happens if you run afoul of the law especially if you’re innocent of the charges?
Most law enforcement departments reach for those DMV pictures in their news releases to the media.
Everyone knows we tend to form opinions about a stranger especially when they are involved in a less than favorable situation.
Felons and outlaws are probably too busy looking over their shoulders for cops to worry about a bad drivers license photo.
For the rest of us, being seen not smiling and generally mean-looking is not a good thing.
What about the presumption that you’re innocent till proven guilty?
Peter Phun Photography
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Hi Maura,
Thank you for taking the time to say hello. It’s great to hear from you. I imagine this scenario with the software scanning for duplicate licensing will eventually be the norm in other places, not just here in the US as the number of drivers reach into millions. So if you love your picture on your current license, try not to lose it. lol
Great information, as usual, Peter! I tweeted it earlier today, but thought I’d send you a quick “Hello” as well. –
Maura Graber