TexasCHLforum.com

ericsu19 wrote:Why is it taking so long to receive the plastic 7-10 days

because the CHL department does not do the actual mailing. All licenses are sent to a shared mail room, that has it's own schedule. This mail room sends out different kinds of mail on specific days of the week. For example, when I submitted my online application, DPS told me that the mailroom sends out all online packets on Thursdays. While they was processing my application, I was told that it would take up to 7 days (depending on what day your license is sent to the mailroom, and what day the mailroom sends out licenses) once your license was sent to the mail room before anything would be mailed out. Then it will take up to another 7 days to actually get to you.

ericsu19 wrote:for 2 months I have been told waiting on background I found out Friday still waiting on Federal and state background how long does it take I have a clean record.

ABN556 wrote:I called DPS - still "processing application". They claimed they were just waiting on part of the background check from a county. I asked them if they did not have a national agency checklist software platform that counties used to report to the state/feds. They seemed dumbfounded by the question.

If you have not read my post, pointed to by Mike1951, let me point out a fact that was discussed. Most people are frustrated at DPS, because they own the process and that is who people interface with. But what I was told in my call is that the county checks are what is currently taking the longest in the process (aside from just getting to your application in the pile). When DPS sends your information off to a county, it is a waiting game for them. I would advise that people start pressuring their counties to become more efficient in processing these checks, than venting their frustrations with DPS.

Also, if you list an address of any kind on your application, DPS will send off checks to EVERY county listed. I originally thought that DPS would only check with my home county (Tarrant) and was in fact surprised to see that they also checked in Dallas county as well, because my work address is technically in Dallas county. So the more counties involved, the longer the process.

Mike1951 wrote:But they are good for five years now, anyway.

The change from 4 years to 5 years was made some time ago.

This is another thing your instructor should have known.

I thought that renewals were good for 5 years, but that the initial license was only valid to your birthday after the fourth year.

ArmedTeacher wrote:It's finally here! And it only took 115 days to get the plastic in hand!
I did find it odd that it is valid for four years seven months, until March of 2013. I thought they were only valid for a max of four years.

They are valid to your birthday after your fourth year. This means they could be possibly be valid for up to 4 years 11 months. *cough*cough*...This should have been covered under your CHL class....*cough*cough*

ericsu19 wrote:It all depends on who you talk to at DPS I have a buddy who called and they said thay have finnished April and working on May. Good luck to all

If I were to guess, I would think that DPS process would look something similar to

1. Open packet and manually enter all information into system or if online application, verify that no information has changed
2. DPS does it's initial internal checks
3. DPS sends information to your local designee and FBI
4. DPS waits for information back from local designee and FBI
5. DPS issues card

Now, it is possible that DPS is finished with steps 1-3 for April applicants. I would think that by now they have already sent off all of the April applicants information to the local designees and FBI. So while they are waiting for those applications, they can start steps 1 & 2 for May applicants. But I don't work for DPS, so this is purely speculation on my part.