Not so fast... or don't let your license lapse

[TXPanhandler]

For those of you whose applications sailed through and were processed in less than 40 days, here is the other side of the coin. I previously had my CHL from 2000 - 2005 and never had any issue or excitement other than a speeding ticket while carrying. I've never been arrested. I've technically lived in Texas all my life but worked abroad for several months. I also traveled throughout the US for work for many months.

I was traveling out of state weekly for work during 2004 & 2005 and let my license expire. At the time, one could renew up to one year after the expiration date. I requested the renewal packet one month prior to the anniversary of the expiration date but never took the renewal class or sent in any requirements. DPS classes this as a terminated application due to no activity. This was totally my fault and I wonder if it had any bearing on my delay. I was told that past licensing was not considered as my former license had expired without renewal. This was considered as a new application.

Lesson learned: I won't allow the license to lapse again and, in the future, will begin the renewal process as early as allowed.

> April 20th - online application
> April 23rd - L-1 fingerprinting
> April 30th - CHL class
> May 2nd - materials sent by US mail
> May 4th - packet received by DPS but no status update (a helpful young lady provided this info at a later date)
> May 23rd - checklist received & background check under review
> June - weekly calls to check on status always results in the same response: "Normal processing time is 60 days but things look good. We're just waiting on the background check to complete". They indicate no response on one background check. I ask if a follow up email or advisory can be sent. I'm told yes after the 60th day.
> July 5th - no status change, so call placed to DPS. A gentlemen indicates that he had spoken with me the previous week & now that 60'days passed, he would send a follow up email on the background check.
> July 6th - status change:' background complete; manufacturing pending
> July 7th -status change - manufacturing
> July 8th - status change - mailed
> July 11th - plastic in hand

71 days elapsed from the day I mailed the packet until I received my license. Perhaps a call to a legislator may have helped but now all is well.

[Teamless]

just curious, if I have read your post properly
You lapsed in 2005 or so.
Why did you wait until 2011 to re-apply? and didn't you feel naked for the past 6 years?

[TXPanhandler]

Yep, you read it correctly. I let it lapse and as much as I was traveling out of state. "Not" carrying didn't seem like that big a deal but it was. I carried in the truck under 46.02 but I feel better all around now.

[Teamless]

Glad you are back to CHL, but at least MPA covered you as well, I didn't think about that