Texas Drivers License

[ninemm]

I just got my renewal drivers license. It sure is similar in color, format and font to my CHL.

[The Annoyed Man]

Apparently, there is an older and a newer style for both. My wife and I both have the old style TDL, and I have the old style CHL, but when my wife's CHL came in, it looks completely different, and I've been told that's the new look.

[ssenniug]

Interesting. I liked that the old TXDL and the CHL looked different. I constantly spot check my wallet before leaving the house while carrying, going to have to check more thoroughly now. My CHL is already the color of my credit card, I laugh to think if I ever handed it over when trying to purchase something. Knowing the general public, they would probably scream and think I was holding up the place.

[ELB]

Apparently, there is an older and a newer style for both. My wife and I both have the old style TDL, and I have the old style CHL, but when my wife's CHL came in, it looks completely different, and I've been told that's the new look.

I haven't seen the new CHLs, but I have been looking at a lot of new-style DL's while working early voting. The appearance is certainly different. The biggest functional difference I see is that the DL number is much more prominent. I suspect LEO input on that change.

[zero4o3]

Interesting. I liked that the old TXDL and the CHL looked different. I constantly spot check my wallet before leaving the house while carrying, going to have to check more thoroughly now. My CHL is already the color of my credit card, I laugh to think if I ever handed it over when trying to purchase something. Knowing the general public, they would probably scream and think I was holding up the place.

I did this once already, buying beer at HEB the older lady checking me out just informed me I handed her the wrong ID and told me it was ok I was not the first to do it that day

[i8godzilla]

Since my DL number is on my CHL why do I need to carry both? Just asking...........

[MasterOfNone]

The legal reason - because the transportation code requires it (Sec. 521.025(a)(1)).
The practical reason behind the code - They probably wouldn't want that section of the transportation code to be dependent upon other code. The easiest route is to make the code stand on its own without referring to or depending on another code. And the CHL doesn't have all the info - DL class, restrictions, etc - that can be easily checked on the DL without looking it up.

[PBratton]

Apparently, there is an older and a newer style for both. My wife and I both have the old style TDL, and I have the old style CHL, but when my wife's CHL came in, it looks completely different, and I've been told that's the new look.

I haven't seen the new CHLs, but I have been looking at a lot of new-style DL's while working early voting. The appearance is certainly different. The biggest functional difference I see is that the DL number is much more prominent. I suspect LEO input on that change.

You can most likely suspect Homeland Security input and funding... Lining things up for a National ID card.

[Fangs]

I handed a Hays County Sheriff my CHL and TDL (Old style TDL at the time, new style CHL), and it took her almost 10 seconds to figure out that one of them was a CHL. It was funny when it clicked. Almost as funny as my passengers' reactions when she asked where my deadly weapon was. *Gasps* Which was almost as funny as when I replied, "In my pants." I was carrying in a cell pal type holster at the time, and had to explain that it was basically in my lap under my shorts, since I was sitting at the time.

I've accidentally handed door guys my CHL when entering a 51% establishment (I obviously wasn't carrying). Not once did they bat an eye, and I didn't notice the mistake until they returned it to me. I keep both my IDs in the same clear slot of my wallet, and I must have slid my TDL in behind the the CHL at the previous 51% location. Whoops.

[BobCat]

Are the DPS DL-renewal offices typically posted, or ok to carry?

[ScottDLS]

Are the DPS DL-renewal offices typically posted, or ok to carry?

They are typically not posted as government entities cannot prohibit carry with PC 30.06. Some may be co-located with a courthouse or jail and hence be off limits.

[BobCat]

Thank you!

After I asked, I was embarrassed to have done so without looking it up myself. I could go there and look, too.

Regards,
Andrew