Florida DMV Still Wants You to Say Cheese

Ridiculous civil limitation in the vague name of security never makes us smile, but one state has now literally outlawed smiling in the name of safety. Virginia has forbidden anyone from cracking a smile in driver's license photos because it interferes with facial recognition technology.The Palm Beach Post, who we guess...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

May 29, 2009

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Ridiculous civil limitation in the vague name of security never makes us smile, but one state has now literally outlawed smiling in the name of safety. Virginia has forbidden anyone from cracking a smile in driver's license photos because it interferes with facial recognition technology.

The Palm Beach Post, who we guess was a little bored yesterday, decided to ask the Florida DMV if smiling was still permitted, and it is.

A DMV spokesman told the paper: "We know people smile in their pictures because they had such a wonderful experience in our office, and that makes us happy."

So our DMV might not be stuck in 1984, but claiming people are happy at the DMV is some serious doublethink.

But some changes are coming. Next January, Florida will begin distributing the Real ID -- which is a bit Orwellian and sure has Rep. Ron Paul's panties (rightfully?) in a twist.

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