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What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 10:54 am
by 45 4 life
During the renewal class we were told to destroy the old card. However I have also been told to return it to the state
That being said I am turning to the experts.
Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 11:03 am
by Medic218
I'm far from an expert but I've been told to return it to the state as well.
However, when I moved last year and requested a new one I misplaced the old one. I found it a couple weeks ago in my trucks console. That being said and it being over and year since I had the address changed there have been no inquaries of any type from the state as to the old cards whereabouts. So given my experience you should be fine just shredding it....but yeah, let's see what the experts have to say
Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 11:08 am
by joe817
I'd say a call down to DPS would be justified. That's a good, legitimate question that deserves a proper answer.

Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 11:41 am
by MojoTexas
I heard to do both...cut it in two with a pair of scissors and mail it back to the state.
Of course you could always just email Rene at DPS and ask her. :-)
Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:00 pm
by seamusTX
This question was answered some time ago:
http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=21796" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The only time that you have to return a license to DPS is when you change from NSA to SA.
Otherwise you can do whatever you want with it.
The reason is that a license that is expired or has an out-of-date name or address is not a valid license, and the police can determine that.
I would recommend destroying the license thoroughly, because the information on it can be used for identity theft. If you want to keep it for old times' sake, keep it in a safe.
- Jim
Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:44 pm
by Kythas
I put my old license through the shredder.
Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:17 pm
by Texgun
I keep an old driver's license or CHL in a small business cardholder with my "hideout" money. If I am separated from my billfold unexpectedly I have some emergency cash and a government issued photo ID (expired). This is better than having nothing.
Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 12:11 pm
by 45 4 life
I sent the question via email and the response was "You may destroy the card".
Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:14 pm
by texjames
I save mine.Old CHL and Drivers lic.Last time i renewed Drivers though they cut the top part of it off and said use it until my new one came in the mail.
I don't know why i like to keep them, just do.
Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:16 pm
by redlin67
MojoTexas wrote:I heard to do both...cut it in two with a pair of scissors and mail it back to the state.
Of course you could always just email Rene at DPS and ask her. :-)
Just for the record, Rene is a male. He is Hispanic and this not not an uncommon male name for Hispanics.
Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:43 pm
by redlin67
Good ol' Rene, his usual bull response:
Your PIN # is ****
Rene M.
Customer Service Representative I
Concealed Handgun Licensing Bureau
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 2:25 PM
To: CHLS
Subject: Status
Rene,
Just wanted to check with you on the status of my application and make sure you were not missing anything from me that you require. Thank you!
Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:45 pm
by Oldgringo
Expired credit cards, DL's, CHL's, etc. can be used to scrape light frost from your car windows. In fact, they don't even have be expired to work.
Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:54 pm
by texjames
seamusTX wrote:This question was answered some time ago:
http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=21796" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The only time that you have to return a license to DPS is when you change from NSA to SA.
Otherwise you can do whatever you want with it.
The reason is that a license that is expired or has an out-of-date name or address is not a valid license, and the police can determine that.
I would recommend destroying the license thoroughly, because the information on it can be used for identity theft. If you want to keep it for old times' sake, keep it in a safe.
- Jim
I have two old one's in my desk drawer...

Re: What To Do With Old Plastic
Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 7:50 am
by mkosmo
redlin67 wrote:Good ol' Rene, his usual bull response:
Back when I was emailing asking for status updates, I'd typically get more than that back!