Renewals?

[racer32]

Sorry if this has been discussed before-tried to search, but didn't find an answer. My CHL expires in August 2009. How early can I take the class?

[seamusTX]

Six months before the expiration date.

If you've been following the discussion of how long applications and renewals are taking, you might want to consider getting a non-resident license from another state, in case your Texas CHL expires before you get the new plastic.

- Jim

[Charles L. Cotton]

The training certificate (TR-100) is good for six months. This means you must file your renewal application within six months of taking the renewal course. You should be getting a renewal notice in February, six months before your license expires. My suggestion is take the class early and reapply early.

Chas.

Edited: Oops, Jim beat me to it.

[racer32]

Thanks guys, I was wondering if I could take the class and/or send my paperwork early to avoid any lapse. Will the state's renewal notice include the paperwork?

[Charles L. Cotton]

Thanks guys, I was wondering if I could take the class and/or send my paperwork early to avoid any lapse. Will the state's renewal notice include the paperwork?

No, it will be a white envelope with a letter telling you to renew online. Be careful, it's easy to think it's junk mail.

Chas.

[BobCat]

If you try to renew online before you are "eligible" the DPS web site will not let you. You are eligible to renew 180 days before your CHL expires. I found this out personally.

I took the renewal class a week or two before I was eligible to renew, applied online for the "package" exactly 180 days before my expiration date, received the package promptly and sent it in with the class paperwork immediately. My new CHL came in 60 days.

There is a checklist here on the Forum that is superb for making sure you send exactly what you need to send.

Best of luck to you.

Regards,
Andrew

[seamusTX]

You were lucky. The determining factor is the date on the TR-100 form, not the date that you submit your application.

- Jim

[BobCat]

Maybe they decided not to trip me up for taking the class 189 days before expiration instead of 180 days.

The instructor was certain it would be ok, and he was right.

Who knows? I'll take "lucky" and be grateful.

Andrew

[Crossfire]

Thanks guys, I was wondering if I could take the class and/or send my paperwork early to avoid any lapse. Will the state's renewal notice include the paperwork?

You can actually take the class almost 1 year before your expiration. The TR-100 (class completion certificate) is good for 6 months. And you can do your online renewal application 6 months before your birthday. So, you take the class just about 11 months before your expiration. Then, as soon as you are eligible to renew online, you do your online application. DPS sends you the packet in about 2 weeks, and you just add your classroom paperwork and send it right back.

There ya go.