Hello, Anyone Working at DPS?

[SigListener]

Wondering if it's just me, or have others been having trouble getting someone to pick up the phone at DPS? I've been calling the phone number from the website every other afternoon for the past two weeks and have been receiving the same message stating no one is available to take my call, try again another time, and then the line disconnects.

Timeline:
Nov 1 - CHL class
Nov 3 - Online Application and payment
Nov 4 - Confirmation email
Nov 20 - fingerprints submitted using FAST
Dec 9 - Uploaded docs via DPS website

Unfortunately, I didn't realize until reading this forum this evening that I should have received a second confirmation email after uploading the supporting documentation. Makes not getting a person on the phone for two weeks all the more frustrating and I'm concerned I may have to wait 60 days from the point at which I get someone to confirm receipt of my documentation.

Has anyone else had any luck calling over the past couple of weeks?

[Barman84]

If you waited that long to upload docs yep you'll be waiting longer.

[infoman]

It currently takes 2 months from the date they received your documents (for those with No arrests)

[Hot Dawg]

I have 2 friends that turned their docs in around the same time as you did & both are still waiting on their license, they probably are behind with the holidays in December & that the classes have tripled recently.

[Barman84]

I've called now three days straight.

Tuesday at 7am auto message that they can't take you call try the website
Tuesday at 9 am same message as before
Tuesday at noon same message as before
Tuesday at 3 same message as before
Tuesday at 6 same message as before
Wednesday at 7 same message as before
Wednesday at noon same message as before
Wednesday at 6 same message as before
Thursday at 7 same message as before
Thursday at 10 same message as before,

Seems to me they have their phones set to the auto message period now. Which honestly pisses me of just slightly that we pay for this service not to mention pay tax on every damn item in this state and can't get someone to pickup the phone not to mention you don't even get the option of a voicemail it just hangs up.

[Kdeusinger]

Hello all, I just spoke with a nice lady at the DPS yesterday. I called to make sure all my paperwork was in order, she confirmed it was and also let me know it'll be about 2 more weeks since they're working on applications from mid December and my application was submitted 12/27/15. I hope this helps.

***Updated Timeline***
-Application submitted 12/27/15
-Class on 01/09/16 & form uploaded online
-Reply/confirmation email on 01/11/16
-Website change on 03/31/16
-Plastic in hand on 04/01/16

****Also something to think about is it's been reported that over 136,000 applications were submitted between the months of December thru February which is 4 times the highest amount set back in 2010. They're hiring more employees than never before just to get through the massive amounts of applications. Patience is the virtue in this case.

[SigListener]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like not answering the phones at DPS is more than just me. Glad to hear you got through Kdeusinger.

I've also applied for Level 3 and 4 security licenses, and the PSB group appears to be just as backed up as the CHL/LTC group.

On the plus side, the rush reflects how many people are willing to take personal responsibility for safety.

[infoman]

I wouldn't call until Feb, you're too early & wasting your time right now. I'd mark on your calendar to call in Feb & then chill out & take it easy until then.

[SigListener]

I understand Infoman, but my concern is that I have never received confirmation of the documentation I uploaded using the DPS website. If I wait until Feb to call, and for whatever reason they haven't received my docs, then I'll be waiting until mid-April.

[16Adams]

I too had difficulty getting through. A member posted this tip the other day:

called number (at 10:15 a.m.)
when recorded voice begins to speak Press 1
on the fourth time I got through to a waiting period of less than 15 minutes
DPS is one of the most polite/efficient State Agencies you will ever deal with
The lady requested my home address and Driver License number
answered my question completely in less than 30 seconds

[TVGuy]

CHL classes are booked solid for months right now, it hasn't been like this in a long time...probably since Sandy Hook.

They are overwhelmed and running behind. Be patient.

This is a great example why one should not wait to get a new CHL or renew until there is an emergency.

[Barman84]

They are behind because every John Wayne wanna be wants to get their LTC not CHL... I was at a family event and few of my inlaws good ole boy cowboys really fun guys not knocking them at all thought they could strap up and walk around now that open carry was legal. I had to remind them they needed a license still. Once educated on the fact they couldn't they got sad and all three signed up for the next ltc class they could find in a heartbeat.

In my field of work there are a ton of women and a lot of them think the same as well. I get there isn't a lot of open carry going on right now. But I am afraid it will be soon. I got mine for concealed carry all day. But since I am still waiting as well I got a few OWB holsters that will fit fine with my shirt over them.

[SigListener]

Update as of Jan 26

The website status has changed, so it looks like my LTC has been issued, but I haven't received the plastic, yet. I was never able to get a live person on the phone, but uploading the documents via the DPS website turned out just fine.

Barman - Open carry isn't my style, either. My story is a little different in that I had chosen not to carry for a long time (my cousin is a policeman and teaches CHL along with several other classes and has tried to get me to do this for years). Last fall, my church asked me to go through security training and gaining a better understanding of the credible threats that exist has completely changed my position. I haven't been just waiting on the DPS to issue a LTC, but also Level 3 and Level 4 security officer licenses. The additional training I've received over the past several months has made me much more confident in carrying everyday.