TexasCHLforum.com

JALLEN wrote:What is the cost to register a new car purchased in Texas?

The last time I bought a new car, the sales tax and registration was almost $5,000. The sales tax would be higher now.

I believe that it's 6.5% tax on a new car purchase in Texas, plus an administrative fee for the registration. When I recently re-registered a vehicle in Louisiana from Texas, I was credited the 6.5% tax, had to pay the difference with local tax, and then had to pay the LA administrative fee. I would think going to Texas would be similar.

On topic, I don't oppose requiring Texas residents to know TX law and hold a TX CHL (not withstanding the extraneous arguments of Constitutional carry, etc.), but I think a grace period has to be written into the statue for new residents to allow for the course and application times.

Charles L. Cotton wrote:Processing is now an easy with the online application and affidavits and DPS turnaround times are excellent. That wasn't the case 3 years ago, but now DPS is doing a great job, especially in view of the huge increase in applications. One thing that would help DPS and initial licensees is to repeal the requirement for fingerprints. They cost DPS $23.50 for each CHL (new and renewal) when the FBI accesses the exact same databases that DPS uses.

I think the Texas processing (online and turnaround time) is great, especially compared to my experience in Louisiana. Even with the finger print requirement, the fact that they're transmitted electronic is also a huge plus. I was expecting the same when I got electronic prints taken for my Louisiana permit, but that only meant the printing was ink-free; the state recommended finger printer still had to print physical cards for me to submit via mail. I was spoiled by the Texas process.

Charles L. Cotton wrote:That said, requiring Texans to have a Texas CHL will not impact reciprocity. In fact, a few states have already passed such legislation and more are going to do so as time goes on. We can thank those like the online Virginia instructor/class for this bill being filed again.

This is the law in Louisiana and it does NOT affect reciprocity as you have correctly indicated, Charles. It DOES, however, presumably affect folks moving to Texas. When I moved to Louisiana this past year, my wife had a baby six weeks later. Between the new addition to the family, new job, new house, etc., it would have been great to legally carry longer under my Texas CHL -- until things quieted down and getting my Louisiana permit wasn't directly trading off with other key responsibilities in my life.

For what it's worth, my Louisiana instructor said it was the Florida permits that prompted the change here.