When To Apply Before Expiration

[Abraham]

I maaaay have asked this before and so I looked at everything I could find on past posts and searched until crosseyed, but couldn't find out - so here goes: When should one apply for renewal before one's current CHL expires?

Thanks

[C-dub]

I've only renewed once now and that was a couple of years ago. I think I sent in the renewal application about 5-6 months in advance and then took the course with 2-3 months to spare and had the plastic in hand before the first one expired.

[Crossfire]

As soon as you get your renewal notice from DPS. Renewals are taking at least 90 days, from what I hear.

[Abraham]

Thanks Crossfire!

In the past, I do not remember ever receiving a renewal notice.

I don't know if it's faulty memory or that I didn't get one, ah, two...renewal notices.

[infoman]

6 month prior to your expiration, allow 3 months+ for processing..

[tesla]

Given how long I've been waiting for my initial license, I'm thinking I'd better hurry up apply for my renewal now just to get it in the queue!

[74novaman]

Given how long I've been waiting for my initial license, I'm thinking I'd better hurry up apply for my renewal now just to get it in the queue!

Quoted for truth.

[MBGuy]

Do it as soon as possible when you enter the 6 month window. It's not a good feeling when you go from carrying just about always, to not able to carry. I procastinated and now I'm paying the price. Going on 60 days...

[ELB]

You can apply for renewal 180 days (not six calendar months) prior to the expiration date. You should get a renewal notice in the mail (but of course mail can go astray). It seems that my renewal notice arrived after the 180 day point. If you try to apply online prior to the 180 day point, it will bark at you.

However, to get the fastest jump on it, you can take your renewal class prior to the 180 day point, as the legal requirement for the course is that it be no earlier than 180 days prior to the date of the application -- not the expiration date. This is what I did -- I knew CHLs were taking a long time, so I got everything together, took my renewal course the weekend prior to the 180-day point, got all my paperwork filled out and a copy of my DD214 (for my veteran's discount ) and got it all in the mail ASAP. Thirty-five days later I had my renewed license. Unfortunately my wife dallied until right at the expiration point , took the class...and we are still waiting...

[Abraham]

Great info ELB.

Only now do I find out about producing a DD214 for a discount, arrrggghhhhh!

Hhmmmm, I wonder if one is over sixty and can produce a DD214 is there a possibility of an even greater cost reduction i.e., I'm aware the application cost is $35.00 if over sixty, but I wonder if being a vet can bring that down even more?

Anyone know?

[infoman]

Unfortunatley, no.. the veteran discount is only for people under 60.

[LarryH]

In other words, you can take the veteran discount OR the over-sixty discount, but not both.

[ELB]

Great info ELB.

Only now do I find out about producing a DD214 for a discount, arrrggghhhhh!

I can't believe that DPS still doesn't make this clear in all the paperwork and on the website. Somewhere there's a sentence that says something about supplying proper documentation for reduced fees or something like that, but it's nowhere clear enough. I found out about it myself on this forum.

Good luck.

[C-dub]

I was unaware of the veteran discount. I thought there was only a discount for active duty. I'll have to dig out my DD214 when it's time for my renewal.

[Tim_the_Bald]

I maaaay have asked this before and so I looked at everything I could find on past posts and searched until crosseyed, but couldn't find out - so here goes: When should one apply for renewal before one's current CHL expires?

Thanks

I got my renewal letter in February and could kick myself 100 times 'till Sunday because I waited until June to take the renewal course. Had no idea there was such a backlog. Have applied for a PA CHL in case I don't get renewed before my license expires; see the other thread.

That is the last time I make that mistake.