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by Charles L. Cotton
Mon Jun 22, 2015 10:37 am
Forum: DPS Updates
Topic: Petition to the Governor and the Texas DPS.
Replies: 19
Views: 19694

Re: Petition to the Governor and the Texas DPS.

Skiprr wrote:Cross-post. Sorry, Charles. I like my graph, though, so I think I'll leave it. :mrgreen:
I like it too!

Chas.
by Charles L. Cotton
Mon Jun 22, 2015 10:23 am
Forum: DPS Updates
Topic: Petition to the Governor and the Texas DPS.
Replies: 19
Views: 19694

Re: Petition to the Governor and the Texas DPS.

The DPS is doing a great job and it is rare to see someone have to wait over the statutory limit of 60 days to get a new license. My students routinely report that they receive theirs in 30 days or less, with some receiving a license in as little as two weeks. DPS is understaffed for the volume of applications they handle. There staff was budgeted (by the legislature) to handle around 3,000 to 5,000 applications a month, but my latest information indicates they are running 18,000 to 22,000 monthly. Look at the increase in the number of CHLs since 2008. This isn't a momentary blip on the radar, this represents hundreds of thousands of people who will be in the DPS system for many years. We currently have over 850,000 CHLs and if we divide that number over 60 months, DPS will be handling over 14,000 renewal applications alone every month, plus new applications. In spite of this, they issue the vast majority of licenses in far less time than is allowed by statute.

The CHL division was totally revamped about 4 or 5 years ago and it made a world of difference. Waiting times of 6 months or more disappeared within weeks of implementing the changes and it was improved again with the introduction on online applications and document submission. We are blessed with a very dedicated group at DPS who want to make this program work as efficiently as possible. There will be exceptional cases that create a processing problem, primarily when something forces it out of what I call the "purely online processing procedure." As already noted, these are rare but I realize that isn't much comfort for those who do have to wait longer to get their CHL.

As you noted, you joined the Forum just a few days ago, so you probably are not aware that I was very critical of the DPS prior to the revamping of the CHL program, including changing personnel at all levels. I was in the process of preparing multiple-plaintiff lawsuits against DPS based upon grossly exceeding the 60 day limit for new licenses and 45 day limit for renewals. It was so bad that it was virtually impossible to prevent your CHL from expiring. We couldn't start the renewal process until six monthly before expiration and it was taking longer than six months to get your renewal CHL. So I'm not jumping to the defense of "friends" with my comments; I'm giving credit where it is due and DPS deserves a great deal of credit for the job it is doing with an excessive workload. As a trial lawyer and activist of many years, I know what it is like to work under stress but mine lasts for weeks or a few months at a time. DPS labors under an excessive workload every single day with no relief in sight. I know it's frustrating if your application happens to fall outside the norm in terms of processing times, but please take a step back and take an objective look at the entire system.

The link to your petition was deleted because the Forum isn't going to be used to promote outside efforts that the Moderators do not evaluate and approve in advance. We have no control over other websites and that is a major issue for Moderators.

Chas.

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