TexasCHLforum.com

Jumping Frog wrote:The only scenario under which someone could be at risk would be if their home state license is automatically revoked when they become a non-resident of that state. The reciprocity would not apply because they did not have a valid license any longer.

However, that certainly would not apply to a license like a UT license that was already non-resident to begin with. I also reviewed the WA laws regarding revocation and moving out of state is not a reason to revoke -- in fact, WA issues non-resident permits.

I believe he received inaccurate information. We certainly have seen occasional instances where a specific LEO makes a statement about how he/she thought the law ought to work instead of what the law actually says.

It's possible my friend received bad info from DPS..... certainly.
I held the same opinion as you, until he went through that discussion with DPS.

So... Caveat emptor, I guess.

Jumping Frog wrote:I can confirm that a Utah license remains valid until expired. Utah would only require that you have a Texas license as a Texas resident when it is time to renew your Utah license. It does not become invalid when you move here.

As far as your original question, that is exactly how I moved to Texas. I had a Utah non-resident license and carried on that. Meanwhile, I took my training from Mr. Cotton and applied for a Texas non-resident license using my out of state address since my family did not move here until the end of the school year.

When we bought a house and moved here (yeah!), I simply filed a change of address on the Texas license and it automatically updated to become a Texas resident license instead of a non-resident license. Note that it costs $25 to change the address.

So.... I'm going to throw up a flag here.... Based on a friends experience moving here from WA. This may or may not apply to Utah.

His WA license remained valid until expiration after he moved (confirmed with WA issuing authority), but when he called TX DPS they told him that since he had a WA resident license and a TX DL, that he could be arrested for carrying.... TX didn't recognize that combination of things.

I think it is NOT safe to assume that just because your UT non-resident license is still valid, that TX will honor it. I suggest you contact TX DPS and ask that question specifically. I would do that by email so that the reply can be used as documentation. I'm not saying it's not valid, only that it's not always a good idea to assume, it's better to ask.

Just my $0.02

Mark Theriot wrote:So back to my original question, if I apply for a TX non-resident permit now - and then physically relocate to TX is a couple of months, will a simple address change move me to a resident permit - or will I have to start a new resident permit application from scratch?

Thanks guys!

Mark

You would need to come to TX and take the TX class.... You can't get a TX CHL without the TX class and a completion form. You'd also need to make an appointment to have fingerprints taken electronically. Once you apply online for your license you can go from that web page to the registration page for fingerprinting. My wife had to wait 4-5 days for an appointment, but it was 10 minutes in and out once she got there. So, if you plan to be in TX house hunting or working for a week, fill out your application online, make an appointment for fingerprints and plan to take a one day class on the weekend before/after your fingerprint appointment.

FYI... my wife got her CHL a few months ago and it took only 21 days from the time she did fingerprints (class was completed and all other paperwork was done online prior) to having her license in hand.

And yes.... Once you arrive here permanently, just send in an address change.

Welcome to TX.