Lost my drivers license, can I still carry?

[Scott in Houston]

I can't believe I don't know the answer to this considering all the time I've spent here and all the learning I've had.

I realized today that I lost my DL. I only have my CHL in the spot where both sit in my wallet.
I'll get another of course, but in the mean time, can I carry?

The reason I'm not sure is, I have always handed both to an officer (only happened 2-3 times so far... Not like it's a frequent event ).
Is it ok to only hand over a CHL?

[Oldgringo]

I think the question is: will the officer accept a CHL in lieu of a DL. The answer is, "I dunno". but expect it will depend entirely on the officer.

If I lost my DL {horrors}, I'd try to be first in line at the DL store when it opened.

[Purplehood]

As long as you are not driving I don't see what the problem is.

[Scott in Houston]

I am driving. Have to. I'm not an unlicensed driver, but just don't have the plastic. From what I understand for that... It's just a fix it ticket.

[MoJo]

You are supposed to have your DL/State ID with you in conjunction with your CHL when carrying. I don't know what may happen if you don't have the DL with you - - - I would do as Old Gringo said be first in line at a Drivers License Office.

[snatchel]

I am driving. Have to. I'm not an unlicensed driver, but just don't have the plastic. From what I understand for that... It's just a fix it ticket.

The last 2 times I have been stopped (both en route to Dallas) I did not have my drivers license. Once b/c I switched bags and did not have my complete wallet, and the other because I lost my license. I have replaced it now. Anyway, once was by the DPS and the other time was a municipal police officer. Both times it was a no-big-deal. I told them my DL number, they ran it to make sure I was clear, and they used my CHL to verify I am who I said I was. Both times I was carrying.

YMMV, IANAL, ETC...

[Scott in Houston]

Good info. Thanks. I'm hitting DPS tomorrow. I have a passport which should make the process "quick". I plan to arrive at the DPS office an hour before they open. I've heard nightmares about this particular office and their lines...

[gdanaher]

This should perhaps be a new topic, but I live in east Dallas County, and everyone in my neck of the woods drives out to Terrell in Kaufman County, about 12 minutes away. With some exaggeration, you can pull up mid morning, wake up the clerk, and have the job done in minutes. I needed to renew last December. Walked in at 10 am, filled out the little form, turned around and handed it to the clerk, she shot my picture and took my money. I was out by 10:10.

Moral of the story is--try to locate a DPS office with a light load. Can anyone suggest one for the OP in the Harris County area? A list of lightly used DPS offices might be helpful to a lot of people, as long as we keep it amongst ourselves.

[tomtexan]

The DL number is on the CHL card. That should be sufficient til you get the new DL. That's just my opinion of course!

[Scott in Houston]

This should perhaps be a new topic, but I live in east Dallas County, and everyone in my neck of the woods drives out to Terrell in Kaufman County, about 12 minutes away. With some exaggeration, you can pull up mid morning, wake up the clerk, and have the job done in minutes. I needed to renew last December. Walked in at 10 am, filled out the little form, turned around and handed it to the clerk, she shot my picture and took my money. I was out by 10:10.

Moral of the story is--try to locate a DPS office with a light load. Can anyone suggest one for the OP in the Harris County area? A list of lightly used DPS offices might be helpful to a lot of people, as long as we keep it amongst ourselves.

Thanks for the thought. I've looked into it. Our neighbor took their 16 year old 45 minutes away to get his driver's test to avoid multi hour lines.
I don't think there are any good options for me. Driving that far is out of the question during the week, so I'll just get there early, and hopefully be at the office not long after they open!

[cbunt1]

This should perhaps be a new topic, but I live in east Dallas County, and everyone in my neck of the woods drives out to Terrell in Kaufman County, about 12 minutes away. With some exaggeration, you can pull up mid morning, wake up the clerk, and have the job done in minutes. I needed to renew last December. Walked in at 10 am, filled out the little form, turned around and handed it to the clerk, she shot my picture and took my money. I was out by 10:10.

Moral of the story is--try to locate a DPS office with a light load. Can anyone suggest one for the OP in the Harris County area? A list of lightly used DPS offices might be helpful to a lot of people, as long as we keep it amongst ourselves.

Thanks for the thought. I've looked into it. Our neighbor took their 16 year old 45 minutes away to get his driver's test to avoid multi hour lines.
I don't think there are any good options for me. Driving that far is out of the question during the week, so I'll just get there early, and hopefully be at the office not long after they open!

I highly recommend going ahead and picking up a state ID card while you're there. I keep both a DL and an ID in my wallet...for several reasons, not the least of which is those rare times when you have to leave an ID with security (checking out buliding keys and such in my case)...and if you have both it's not nearly the panic if one gets lost for some reason.

ON that same subject, the law is clear--a CHL by itself is NOT adequate for the purpose of carrying under the authority of a CHL, an ID or Driver License is required in conjunction. In practice, it sounds like it's been no big deal for some (I can't speak personally on that one), but by statute, it is not legal to carry without both the CHL and either a State ID or Driver License.

[Ameer]

Where in Houston? The DPS office at 1601 Townhurst had short lines both times I was there but it was NOT at lunch.

[Scott in Houston]

Woohoo!!
It was in my wife's purse... have no idea why (maybe I should look into that? ) but I'm just happy to not have to fight the DPS lines tomorrow.

I will take your advice on a state ID. That's some sound advice there, and would save a lot of heart ache if I ever do lose it for real.

[Scott in Houston]

Where in Houston? The DPS office at 1601 Townhurst had short lines both times I was there but it was NOT at lunch.

That would be the one. I've heard horror stories about it... Glad to hear it's not always like that.

[Ameer]

ON that same subject, the law is clear--a CHL by itself is NOT adequate for the purpose of carrying under the authority of a CHL, an ID or Driver License is required in conjunction. In practice, it sounds like it's been no big deal for some (I can't speak personally on that one), but by statute, it is not legal to carry without both the CHL and either a State ID or Driver License.

Can you cite the law? I see the requirement in 46.15 to carry the CHL but not a DL or any other ID.