TexasCHLforum.com

Howdy. I may be relocating to Texas in a few months. I currently live in North Carolina and am licensed to carry concealed.

From what I read about the Texas CHL, I must be a Texas resident (i.e. have a Texas DL) for at least six months before I'm allowed to apply for a CHL. Then I will have to wait weeks or months longer before I get my CHL.

Meanwhile, the minute I hand my NC DL to DPS to get a TX DL, I'm no longer a NC resident and therefore my NC resident concealed handgun permit ceases to be valid. So I would go from being able to carry legally in Texas (via reciprocity) to having to wait more than half a year before I can get a CHL. That makes no sense.

What are my choices? Will Texas recognize a third party non-resident license (such as Utah) during the six month waiting period?

cbr600 wrote:Howdy. I may be relocating to Texas in a few months. I currently live in North Carolina and am licensed to carry concealed.

From what I read about the Texas CHL, I must be a Texas resident (i.e. have a Texas DL) for at least six months before I'm allowed to apply for a CHL. Then I will have to wait weeks or months longer before I get my CHL.

Meanwhile, the minute I hand my NC DL to DPS to get a TX DL, I'm no longer a NC resident and therefore my NC resident concealed handgun permit ceases to be valid. So I would go from being able to carry legally in Texas (via reciprocity) to having to wait more than half a year before I can get a CHL. That makes no sense.

What are my choices? Will Texas recognize a third party non-resident license (such as Utah) during the six month waiting period?

Texas will accept a 3rd party Utah in particular. I also believe you can get a Nonresident Texas CHL here and then change it after 6 months.

I can't get a non-resident TX license because NC issues licenses.

Good to know about Utah. Now to find a class.

The 6th month requirement is no longer active; you can apply as soon as you get your DL (which is what I did.)

cbr600 wrote:I can't get a non-resident TX license because NC issues licenses.

No longer true. Any legal resident of the United States, who meets all the other Texas eligibility requirements, can get a Texas CHL. It does not matter whether your home state issues, or not.

From what I read about the Texas CHL, I must be a Texas resident (i.e. have a Texas DL) for at least six months before I'm allowed to apply for a CHL. Then I will have to wait weeks or months longer before I get my CHL.

Also, no longer true. You can apply for a Texas resident license as soon as you establish residency.

Good to know about Utah. Now to find a class.

You just did. But, if you want to find a class in NC, look for an instructor here: http://bci.utah.gov/CFP/insoutstate.pdf

llwatson wrote:

cbr600 wrote:Good to know about Utah. Now to find a class.

You just did. But, if you want to find a class in NC, look for an instructor here: http://bci.utah.gov/CFP/insoutstate.pdf

But just so you know you will probably get your Texas CHL wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy before the Utah permit From what I hear.

Also Like the name. I too ride a CBR600.

Thank you for all the information, particularly about changes to the law. The DPS website still says

GC §411.172. ELIGIBILITY.

(a) A person is eligible for a license to carry a concealed handgun if the person:

(1) is a legal resident of this state for the six-month period preceding the date of application under this subchapter or is otherwise eligible for a license under Section 411.173(a);

and

GC §411.173. NONRESIDENT LICENSE.

(a) The department by rule shall establish a procedure for a person who is a legal resident of a state that does not provide for the issuance of a license to carry a concealed handgun and who meets the eligibility requirements of this subchapter other than the residency requirement established by Section 411.172(a)(1) to obtain a license under this subchapter.

It sounds like my best bet is to
1. Request an application now
2. Find and take a class while I'm scouting apartments
3. Apply for a non-resident TX CHL as a NC resident
4. Receive TX CHL
5. Get TX DL with new apartment address
6. Convert non-resident CHL to resident TX CHL
7. ?
8. Profit

Starting the new job and renting an apartment can each happen at any time between steps 2 and 5.

Thanks again for all of the help!

The DPS has always been years slow in updating the website. The best way to get the most updated info is to download the latest LS-16. You can get that here:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/ls-16.pdf

Also, you don't have to request the application before the class. CHL instructors have them.

And finally, get your TX DL right before you take your class. As soon as you have a TX DL number (which you get immediately), then you can get a RESIDENT CHL. You CAN get a non-resident permit first, if you wish, but then it will cost you $25 to change it when you get your DL.

Good luck with the move, and welcome to the forum!

llwatson wrote:And finally, get your TX DL right before you take your class. As soon as you have a TX DL number (which you get immediately), then you can get a RESIDENT CHL. You CAN get a non-resident permit first, if you wish, but then it will cost you $25 to change it when you get your DL.

If I get my TX DL before I take the class, it looks like I would not be able to legally carry between the time I get my TX DL and the time I receive my CHL in the mail. (Unless I get a Utah or Florida license first.)

If I start with a non-resident CHL, I would have no lapse in coverage. Sure, it costs a little extra to switch, but that's still cheaper than getting a non-resident Utah CFP to cover me during the TX CHL waiting period.

Alternately, if I get a Utah non-resident CFP before I move, I suppose I could save even more money by not getting a Texas CHL!

llwatson wrote:Good luck with the move, and welcome to the forum!

Thanks!

Remember that you will need a picture ID to get your CHL forms notarized. When I took my class I had a temporary Texas DL so I had to use my passport for picture ID.

cbr600 wrote:Well, I received an offer for the job in Texas. Now I have to decide on a start date, and figure out how the timing of that will affect my non-resident CHL application (already in progress.)

Well.......COME ON! Whats the hold up?

A big pre-arrival welcome... from me and the good folks of TEXAS!

Any idea what part of the State you will settle in?

WELCOME to Texas!

llwatson wrote:
Also, you don't have to request the application before the class. CHL instructors have them.

Some do, some don't. Much easier to control your own destiny by having your own.

A little clarification; Your NC license is valid here unitl its expiration. The reciprocity agreement does not limit you to being a redicent of NC.

You can apply for a Texas license NOW, but you will have to come to Texas to take a class.

You can also apply for the license the second you get here, assuming you have completed the class.