Yes, so is Tennessee. However, you can make a face, and no one will care.

So, to beat the face recognition software, the criminals and terrorists can just keep a big smile on their faces when they're out in public and all the big brother cameras are worthless... is that the point of this story?

I always call the tip line when I see someone grinning too much.

Don't smile for your driver's license photo. You want it to look like your gonna look when you get pulled over. That's why I always renew my driver's license when I'm drunk.

So I should wear the "I'm about to argue with a cop" look?

Darr247 , it isn't about walking on the streets smiling it is about comparing the photo to all photos in the system trying to catch people with multiple names and licenses across multiple states or even within one state , I believe it is more to catch social security fraud and welfare fraud than anything else .

After living for over 30 yrs in the grand State of New Jersey....I can assure all reading this that there really isnt all that much to smile about in that particular state.

I have found that living in Minnesota, however, one tends to smile more. And easily, as well.

Carry on NJ.

Do they have a reason to be happy with Christie

"You can't smile too much."

Outsourcing journalists?

The headline is opposite of the reported story, don't smile too much.

 I had the chance to visit New Jersey back in 1989 and discovered the gorgeous westward part and delightfully friendly people. Every state in this nation has something beautiful and unique to treasure. So happy you are enjoying the land of 10,000 lakes. People in other states find it a strange tradition to just drop by with a plate of goodies without first calling ahead.

As for photos, thank heavens we can still smile where I live now. I guess if it changes I could go for "if looks could kill" image. I have been told that. Surely I could not be charged because they would have told me I couldn't smile to prevent death right? Or maybe"stare deeply into my eyes" hypnotic glance. Could I get in trouble with that one if the camera guy falls asleep?

Who knows, someday maybe licenses will include finger prints and our DNA in digital recorded form so everyone will be tracked. Our cars are now recording our movements and habits.As do stores, street cameras, parks, businesses, even satellites. Imagine knowing who, where, what, when and why a person is moving about. Just missing the DNA and prints. Hey, it's for "our"protection right? Welcome to Big Brother!

When they took my photo they did it with my glasses on and the flash caught the one lens, look like a pirate, so now when I got pulled over the cop had to shine his flash light in my one eye. When I drove away I was blind so I ran into things because I couldn't see. Now I don't have to worry about a drivers license, I worry about license plates anybody want to buy one???

You(s) are right (hey, I'm from Philly!) This constant invasion of our privacy is compliments of the Patriot Act. September 11th gave the govt a great excuse to watch our every move, all in the name of our security and protection, I might add. This is not about protecting us from Social Security and Welfare fraud - government is pretty lax about that - remember the people who crashed the state dinner at the White House? Seemed to me our president would have been better protected by private security guards making $10.00 an hour! I worked for govt. briefly and never saw anyone knock themselves out on the job, just putting in time until retirement and keeping an eye on the ole pension. This "no smile"zone in NJ is right up there with billionaire Mayor Bloomberg in NYC who has kept us from drinking too much soda. Where does it stop? I'm not sure who the enemy is anymore, that's for sure. There definitely isn't much to smile about in NJ, especially the taxes.

@Windancer,

Oh, don't worry. I'm sure the fingerprints and DNA are coming soon...under one 'excuse' or another. I've had to ID thumbprint the back of a Federal tax refund check in Jersey as well as present a plethora of various ID's. And that was for deposit only. And yes, I find the Land of 10,000 Lakes very enjoyable. Just gotta remember that 'soda' is 'pop' and 'casseroles' are 'hotdish'. (?) Other than all that, it's just great...doncha know? Ha.

@JerseyKat,

Agreed with alot of what you stated. After awhile, it would seem that so many regulations on so many aspects of life would just get to be too....overbearing. Maybe that's what we're starting to see now. And as far as the 'enemy' goes, for some reason, it reminds me of the quote: "We have met the enemy and he is Us." Ooooh.

It's such a "Non story" you felt compelled to comment upon it?

non comment?

Right. The request should be asking residents to stop looking so depressed in photos.

I escaped the People's Republic of New Jersey about 24 years ago and have never looked back. Not much to smile about there.

You didn't have to tell us you live in New Jersey rbjk0174s, your comments place you near the top of the intellectual and cultural treasure that the rest of America only got to see on "Jersey Shore" and "Real Housewives of New Jersey". Yep, a proud tradition as New York's doormat and landfill.

Come on tommyboy , what about Snooki !

Mjolnir - Where are you from Mr. "I'm better than you"? New Jersey is a very diverse place with lots of little subcultures, some of which are portrayed on shows such as "Jersey Shore" and "Desperate Housewives". "Jersey Shore" takes place in Seaside Heights. Seaside Heights (which is about a 1 mile strip of beach along the Jersey Shore) was portrayed very accurately, but there are major sections of the Jersey Shore that are actually nice. In addition to South Jersey, north and Western Jersey are also very rural and picturesque. I grew up about an hour due west of New York City, and had 3 acres of grass to mow and no traffic to get stuck in. The Sopranos also very accurately depicted a sub-culture of New Jersey (if you take out the mafia themes).

If we're talking taxes, cost of living and stuff like that, yeah... New Jersey has some issues, but to judge the populace of an entire state by Michael "The Situation" Sorrentino (who was one of only 3 castmembers even from there, and someone I personally remember was considered a shmuck for simultaneously wearing 2 button-down shirts to work several years ago) proves that you have no business judging anyone else's intellectual capacity.

Or laugh at the town signs that say "A Friendly Community".

Wow, ignoranus post #2 from Pat. You are on a roll. I will let Mjolnir answer for himself, but I suspect Pat will be embarrased...

First one or two of us actually like New Jersey.

I lived out of state in the south and enjoyed returning to weather and appreciating seasons.

That being said. . . Last I checked New Jersey is a swamp.

Looks like TFNJ has no job or hobbies. He/she is commenting on every post. Sad sap.

As for Mjolnir's ignorant post, go p*ss up a rope. Whatever rat hole you live in is probably filled with clueless gits like yourself. NJ has plenty of beautiful areas...hence the "Garden State." Moron!

rbjk0174s

Looks like TFNJ has no job or hobbies. He/she is commenting on every post. Sad sap.

Ya but he is funny, so there is that.

Plus you have more than your fair share of comments on here to. lol not picking a fight just saying.

Oh Pat, being able to laugh at yourself is a virtue, sorry you didn't get the joke. I apologize if I uncovered some festering sores about your state... I'm sure Camden is as much of a wonderland as it was when I lived there. In fact, Jersey is incredibly valuable because it makes Philadelphia look cultured.

And rbjk0174s, my apologies as well as I always thought the motto was "Garbage State". But, after reading your thought-provoking argument I'm forced to admit that Jersey is indeed a beautiful state that is unfortunately populated with Jerseyites.

Look at it this way, at least it's not Texas.

We are not Jerseyites. We are New Jerseyans, first of all. Secondly, after living in California for nearly 20 years, and having recently moved back to Jersey, I can say I am happy to be home! Where the people aren't plastic, and neither is the food!

My 3 children were born & raised in S Florida the same as I was but perfer to live in S Jersey. They say it's a better place to raise rheir kids. Small town, friendly people, clean ar, low crime rate, resh fruits & veggie stands & all the hoidays are more fun. But personally I'll stay in Floriduh, much more interesting with a lot of culteral diversity, great resterants ( bad spelling) :). Concerts & museums of all kinds, broadway plays, beautiful beaches friendly people who are more laid back & not so uptight & or judgemental.of those who don't conform to there idea of what's the 'norm. Much more tolerant & much more fun to be around. I'll just lie here on the beach with my Corona & watch the sun rise & feed bread crumbs to the

Actually South Florida is the only place in the country that Jerseyites and New Yorkers can go to and marvel at how rude, trashy and criminally predisposed the locals are.

@ Jenn, you don't get to choose your own nickname; others do because they're more objective.

LOL. Let me make this clear. I am in my upper 40's, and have lived in New Jersey all my life, I am still in New Jersey, and do not plan on moving away from New Jersey. I love it here.

Second, anyone coming into an article about smiling for a license photo, using angry tones and showing a lack of a sense of humor, has more to worry about than how much I comment on articles. I am a Systems IT person, and probably make more money sitting here surfing the web than you do in your grueling jobs.

So Pat and rbjk0174s, if jokes from others bother you that much, then that says more about you than the jokers. Now, I will continue with my snappy remarks and Jersey jokes, like it or not.

Thank you Robbob, it really is what you make of a post. Those who come into articles to argue can't find a second to laugh.

Have a great day.

It would only need fixing to someone who didn't read the article. The body of the article says you can have a slight smile, just no large grins.

yes the socialist nazi party is doing its best to reel in your freedoms, is that a large soda cup ? You did know nazi's were socialist right, because if you just go by the right wing thing it will make you look really ill informed. In fact check this out, educate yourself and tell all your liberal friends the truth set you free.

That is probably the least relevant point in that article. True that DMV improved waits, as compared to a few years ago, but that point really doesn't matter, does it??

You must don't travel much outside the part of NJ you live if you think the lines at the DMV is short and you can get in and out in 20 minutes. Try going to the Newark DMV the next time if you think that's true.

Eatontown MVC took me 30 minutes (including filling out the forms) to transfer my license when I moved back from CA. Shortest DMV/MVC line I'd ever seen in my life!

It's MVC now, not DMV. And your talking about Newark... seriously? It's a city, there's lots of people there, use some common sense. Maybe you should leave Newark and go to one of the suburbs and you won't waste half your life.

It took me two days to get my license and registration transferred from FL to NJ. My ins. company went paperless but Motor Vehicles wouldn't accept anything less than a mailed copy of proof of insurance. Went home, called insurance company who then mailed me a copy of proof of insurance. Motor Vehicles also wanted proof of my divorce because I had previously lived in NJ under my married name. Went back to Motor Vehicles with the new proof of insurance and other documents the following a week later and then I had to drive to the inspection place. There were a lot of miles between home, Motor Vehicles and Inspection. Ladies, if you ever get married, keep our maiden name so as to avoid identity problems. When I changed my resume back to my maiden name, one of my references called me and wanted to know who I was because he didn't know me by my maiden name and thought it was some kind of fraud. I don't think men go through this aggravation because they keep their name. I'm not smiling in my license picture because I had forgotten while I lived in another state how expensive it is to live in NJ and how they bill and tax you to death.

And the world is a happier place. Warms the heart.

Are you for real?

They do keep the pictures. When you renew your license, the first question is "do you want a new picture". If you say no, they just reprint the last one from the data banks.

I have the same, non-smiling face for twenty years now. Not sure what the software can do with it. Did notice that people I haven't seen for 20 years don't recognize me.

Some mornings, looking in the mirror, even I get confused.

I work in center city Philly and you have to produce your driver's license to get into city hall and other office buildings. Every time I sign in to enter a building, they request my license and then give me a badge to wear with my driver's license photo on it. I'd be willing to bet all those photos end up stored and available for a myriad of reasons and requesters.

Most of our trash in the ocean comes from NY, you bonehead. That cesspool NYC is where the bad smell is.

And New York sends it to Jersey because it won't be noticed... don't forget that.

There's plenty to smile about if you're not an ignorant, miserable git like yourself. I hope you sell your home too so you can get your pea brain out of here.

@rbjk0174s:

If everyone in NJ is as pleasant as you, why would anyone have to be told not to smile for their photo?

Do you smile much?

LOL. rbjk0174s has NO problem with this new rule.

You're right about that. I bought a cheap fixer upper in Dec. 2010 in NJ. Would you believe my taxes have already gone by almost $600 while my house value has dropped down and I'm almost underwater. Meanwhile, former house in FL has dropped in value, but the taxes have dropped to reflect the lower value of the house. New Jersey doesn't care if your house is worthless - they'll tax it to death anyway and to hell with you.

We're glad you don't, either. Another anti-NJ moron is what you are!

You don't live here, so put a sock in it. Another idiot who judges a state by what other dummies say. MOST have never been here.

And those that have never, ever return of their own free will. From your commentary, I strongly suspect that you defend it so vigorously because you don't have the education to leave.

@rbjk0174s:

Should we not judge the state of NJ by what dummies say? I think it's time for your medicine.

Didn't rbjk0174s claim that I must not have a job and sad because I commented on many posts???? LOL