It’s a well-known fact that you’re not allowed to smile in any official photo, and your driver's license pic is no exception. Still, one DMV from Ohio is making sure that doesn’t happen, even if you don’t know this rule.
The idea might not be very elaborate, but it’s incredibly smart. And funny. It consists of taping a photo of NBA star LeBron James, wearing a Lakers jersey, to the camera taking the photos of future drivers.
In case you haven’t heard, just recently, at the end of the season, the NBA MVP agreed to move back to Los Angeles and play with the Lakers. That meant the end of his time with the Cavs in Cleveland. And yes, Cleveland is in Ohio, where this DMV is located.
This feels like we’ve ruined the joke by explaining it, but perhaps some type of context was needed for all you non-basketball fans. The joke was simply too good: look at LeBron in his Lakers threads and weep for the Cavs. Incidentally, this will also prevent you from smiling in your license photo, which is not allowed.
“At the Ohio DMV, where it's forbidden to smile for your license picture. They enforce this rule by making you look at the Lebron on Lakers picture...” the guy who snapped the photo of the camera writes on Facebook.
Needless to say, his post has gone viral ever since, drawing hilarious comments and plenty of praises for the quick-thinking photographer.
As for why you’re not allowed to smile in a license or passport photo, it’s because flashing a toothy grin interferes with facial recognition software. The video at the bottom of the page best explains it. Next time you’re at the DMV, think of this. Or you can think of LeBron’s move to the Lakers, whichever floats your boat.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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