Smiling returns to Delaware driver’s license pics

After being discouraged from cheesing it up at the Delaware DMV for years, the smile is back. 

Starting immediately, anyone renewing his license can show off the pearly whites, if he so chooses, when a Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles employee snaps the picture.

“Having to enforce the no-smile protocol for driver license photos has been one of the most sensitive issues I’ve had to tackle as director,” said Jennifer Cohan, DMV director. “I am glad to tell everyone that those days are over.”

Earlier this month, Governor Jack Markell nominated Cohan to become the next secretary of Delaware’s Dept. of Transportation. If the state Senate confirms her, she will succeed Shailen Bhatt, who is leaving at the end of this month to take a job in Colorado. 

Smiles were initially done away with because they confused the DMV’s facial recognition software. The program helps the DMV better prevent identity theft. A recent upgrade to the system, however, included advances in facial recognition technology, allowing for smiling faces as well as neutral expressions.

So when it comes time to renew your license, get rid of the scowl and say cheese!