TexasCHLforum.com

Sorry folks, just have to vent a little.

As per my previous post here, the wife and I sent off our applications a couple weeks ago. Since we had both filled out the applications and paid on line, and we had our PIN #'s, I looged on a week ago just to see if anything had been updated. Wife's app looks fine, but mine comes up "No record" or some such thing.

Monday morning I call DPS...gentleman says my application was too old (yeah, I know, I procrastinated...) and was terminated. So, I ask, can I just reaaply on line, pay my new fee, and would we be good to go? No, need to reapply and resubmit everything. So, after giving them another $140, the new packet arrived Friday...application # and pin # are the same. Mmmm, maybe if they haven't started processing my appllication yet everything will work.

Called again this morning - after putting me on hold for a while, the guy gives the same story, "need to start from scratch". I said can you just drop my application in the mailroom and pretend it just arrived - no dice. Fine, can I get my TR-100 back, or can I send you the yellow copy? "Nope, need to retake the class" What? I just took it 2 weeks ago - "Doesn't matter, we need the white original..."

I decided to give up at that point - logic just wasn't going to work, and my BP was starting to rise...guess that's why I work in private industry and not for the govenrment.

OK, sorry for the venting, rant mode "off"...

On the other hand, I received the packet from Florida last week. Simple 2 page application, 1 photo, 1 fingerprint card...it's going in the mail today. We'll see which one get here first...

-KD

Bummer. Did you take the class two years ago?

I don't know if there's something more that you can do to "work the system." Maybe one of the instructors will know.

If you took the class recently, perhaps your instructor will give you a new TR-100 without requiring you to take the class.

- Jim

Nope Jim, we took the class this past October 6th...going to meet up with my instructor for a new TR-100 at his next class (Thanks Tom!).

Guess I'll go try the electronic fingerprints this time, maybe that will help speed the second attempt along...Just frustrating that I could literally resend exactly what is in their possesion now, and it would be perfectly acceptable, but they won't process it...this whole thing is getting expensive.

-kd

I don't see how your application is "too old" if you took the class six weeks ago, but I don't know what to tell you to do about it.

- Jim

I don't understand this either...........

I believe you have 1 year to submit the paperwork for an original issue and it MAY actually be longer......

I just took my renewal class Oct 28th and my license does not expire until close to the end of March 2008. I plan on holding my application and paperwork and sending it in around the middle of January 2008.

I hope I am not going to have any foolishness like this.......

AEA wrote:I just took my renewal class Oct 28th and my license does not expire until close to the end of March 2008.

It's two years for initial applications and six months for renewals. The date on the TR-100 is what counts.

I hope your current license expires before March 28. If it doesn't, and they want to be sticklers, you could be in trouble.

- Jim

If he started the application online (but didn't take the class until recently) could it have been the application that was too old, and not the TR-100?

Mithras61 wrote:If he started the application online (but didn't take the class until recently) could it have been the application that was too old, and not the TR-100?

I don't know.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:

AEA wrote:I just took my renewal class Oct 28th and my license does not expire until close to the end of March 2008.

It's two years for initial applications and six months for renewals. The date on the TR-100 is what counts.

I hope your current license expires before March 28. If it doesn't, and they want to be sticklers, you could be in trouble.

- Jim

I'm good there as it expires slightly before March 28th......but......

Oct 28 to Mar 28 is only FIVE MONTHS.

I think the problem is when you file the application on line, to initially get the application packet sent to you, they charge the $140 to your CC at that time. The fine print on line says the application is good for 1 year, although in my case they didn't "terminate" the application for 18 months. I assumed that 1 year meant from the time I sent something back to them, not when I initially requested the packet...my bad for "assuming" anything when it come to a government office.

I'm guessing its all about the budget - the $140 they charged ~2 years ago was spent by the state a long time ago. They want another $140 to cover the costs now...I don't have a problem with that, but sure wish I could just give them another $140 CC authorization and not have to refile the application...

-kd

AEA wrote:Oct 28 to Mar 28 is only FIVE MONTHS.

Sorry, I've never been good at math.

- Jim

Well what do you know...looks like that application the DPS told me was going to be rejected was accepted afterall - website now shows "Processing Application..." for both my wife's and my applications.

Never mind I spoke to them three separate times and was told by each to send a complete new application (which I have in hand, but was waiting to send until "the dust settled" a little - I was hoping something like this might have happened). Might just still be in time for Christmas delivery, if we're lucky!

-KD

If you apply online, you have 1 year to get your completed paperwork to them. That would be the online drawback.

You have 2 years to submit your paperwork from the time you take the class if you DON'T apply online. DPS explained it to us that they didn't want to have to keep track of your money for more than 12 months.

Moral of the story is: if you apply online, you better have a class already lined up!