Eligibility

[young_cs]

First of all, I know this subject comes up a lot but I did a lot of reading with no clear answer.

1. I am moving to TX, do I need to forfeit my current state license (Hawaii) for a TX one or is my current one fine? If it is fine, are there any additional fees besides the $140, FAST, and passport photo? No, I don't have any type of CCW.

2. [Arrested but not convicted] In 2007 I was arrested for theft(felony) but it was dropped to a misdemeanor and later expunged. Does this disqualify me for 10 years like I've read in another thread or am I fine? I too, own firearms of my own. In my current state, background checks are required yearly for long gun purchases and for each pistol purchase. I currently have one long gun and three pistols.

Thank you all in advance.

[Jumping Frog]

I see it is your first post, so welcome.

Regarding #1, if by "current state license" you mean a license to own a gun, there is no license required to own a gun in Texas. You can do whatever you want to with your old HI license.

However, you also said you do not currently have a "CCW" license, which makes sense since I understand virtually no one in HI can get that license. If you want to carry a concealed handgun in Texas, you will need to get a concealed handgun license. We call that a "CHL" instead of "CCW".

If you were convicted of a misdemeanor, you need to wait 5 years from date of conviction. You said you were arrested in 2007, but you didn't specify your conviction date. If it was before Oct. 2008, then you are eligible. Disclose the conviction on your application. You'll be requested to get a certified copy of the case disposition from the clerk of courts where you were convicted, so you might as well get that process going. Depending on how HI state law addresses "expunged", the clerk of courts may respond with "no record found". That still suffices.

As far as the felony arrest, it is convictions that count not arrests, unless an arrest is still a pending case. You case was disposed with a misdemeanor conviction, so you should be fine.

[young_cs]

Thank you for the welcome and reply. I will contact the court and begin gathering the documents. Yes, everything happened before Oct 2008. As for #1, sorry for the mix up. I meant to say Drivers License. Do I need to get a Texas drivers license or will my Hawaii one be fine in order to apply/obtain a CHL?

EDIT: i called the court clerk and it says "no record found" She will be getting it certified and mailed out today.

[bayouhazard]

Thank you for the welcome and reply. I will contact the court and begin gathering the documents. Yes, everything happened before Oct 2008. As for #1, sorry for the mix up. I meant to say Drivers License. Do I need to get a Texas drivers license or will my Hawaii one be fine in order to apply/obtain a CHL?

You do not need to be a Texas resident to get a Texas CHL but you must take the class in Texas. Your Hawaii DL is fine as long as you are a Hawaii resident. If you become a Texas resident you need to get a Texas DL to replace your Hawaii DL.

[young_cs]

Thank you. I'll go look into what it takes to become a Texas resident. Now im deciding if i want to become a Texas resident before getting my CHL or remain a Hawaii resident living in Texas until my Hawaii DL expires in 2021 while a CHL holder.

[Jumping Frog]

Thank you. I'll go look into what it takes to become a Texas resident. Now im deciding if i want to become a Texas resident before getting my CHL or remain a Hawaii resident living in Texas until my Hawaii DL expires in 2021 while a CHL holder.

Unless you are stationed here for the military, you must get a Texas DL shortly after establishing residency.

[RoyGBiv]

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/driverlice ... otexas.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

An individual can legally drive with a valid, unexpired driver license from another state or country for up to 90 days after moving to Texas.

NOTE: The individual must apply in person at any driver license office for a Texas driver license within those 90 days to continue driving legally. An unexpired driver license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory or a Canadian province must be surrendered to DPS when applying for a Texas driver license.

[young_cs]

Thank you all kindly. As soon as I get settled in, I will get my Texas DL before applying for my CHL.