( CNN ) -- A transgender rights advocacy group says the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles restricted a teen 's free speech rights by asking him to remove his makeup for a driver 's license photo . Sixteen-year-old Chase Culpepper went to take his driver 's test in Anderson in March . Chase considers himself `` gender non-conforming , '' he told CNN affiliate WYFF . He regularly wears makeup and girl 's clothes . After passing his driver 's test , Chase went to take his photo for his license . But an employee at the office asked him to remove his makeup . The employee told Chase he could n't wear `` a disguise '' and did n't look `` like a boy should , '' the teen told the affiliate . CNN reached out to the state DMV and was told it had a policy specifying the requirements for the photograph . `` At no time will an applicant be photographed when it appears that he or she is purposely altering his or her appearance so that the photo would misrepresent his or her identity , '' the policy says . `` That 's been the policy since August of 2009 , '' spokeswoman Beth Park said . `` Stage makeup is not acceptable because it can be used to alter appearance . Regular everyday makeup is accepted because it 's used to highlight or hide blemishes , '' she said . The Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund is now asking that the DMV allow Chase to retake his photo . `` His freedom to express his gender should not be restricted by the DMV staff , '' the fund 's executive director , Michael Silverman , said . `` He is entitled to be who he is and to express that without interference from government actors . '' Transgender first-grader wins the right to use girls ' restroom . Kids who veer from gender norms at higher risk for abuse . Parents urged to support , safeguard children as they explore gender .
'Gender non-conforming ' teen says S.C. DMV employee asked him to take makeup off . DMV says it has a policy specifying requirements for photographs . Comment: