Virginia Drivers Can Smile (Again) In Driver's License Photo

Smile, Virginia!

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles said today that it will now allowsdrivers the option of smiling, or not, in their photos.

The DMV also made the announcement on their Facebook page, with the help of Buddy the Elf:

Back in 2009, Virginia's DMV adopted a neutral expression policy (i.e. no smiling) to possibly use with image verification software that at the time worked best when comparing similar images. But now the DMV is no longer using that software.

Want to show off your pearly whites on your license right away? Anyone who would like a new photo should take their unexpired driver's license of ID card to the DMV's customer service center or DMV 2 Go mobile office. It will cost you $20 to replace your driver's license, $10 to replace an ID card.