TexasCHLforum.com

I am taking the class on the 17th. Is there any benefit to applying before hand online? Thanks.

You might get your packet in the mail before class - and save your instructor from using one from inventory. Plus, you'll get to let DPS operate on your money for a few weeks or months longer than if you wait and pay with a personal check.

it doesn't appear to speed up the application process at all.

My wife is taking her CHL class tomorrow and we decided to NOT have her apply online for reasons based on my personal experiences:

1. Mail your completed packet in via US postal service CERTIFIED mail with return receipt requested (the card they mail back to you). That way you will know WHEN the DPS actually received your packet. Do not opt for the return notification via EMAIL as they will NOT email you. In fact, in my case they NEVER DID and after doing an "investigation" they told me they couldn't tell me what happened to it!

2. Pay by personal check as this then gives you the ability to see when they cash it and stamp the packet to allow it to go on to further processing. Because I had paid up front with the online application I had no way to know when my application got moving.

3. If you are a veteran be sure and include a copy of your DD-214 with your completed packet. (I DID remember to do this) Veterans get a 50% discount with the state on your CHL fee. That's $70!

Good luck

If you read the excellent reports posted by BigBlueDodge, his inquiries provide evidence that generic packets sent in must first go to a 'Cash Processing' department for the receipts to be removed and then forwarded for the processing to begin, while prepaid packets may go directly to the processing department.

This is not a hard fact and may not make any difference in total processing time, but there is a possibility that a prepaid MIGHT trim a week off.

It has been debated before and I don't think there will be to much of a difference, as far as you processing time. I did apply on line and received my plastic in 88 days. Like Mike said, read the post by BigBlueDodge and I think it will help you through the next few months.

Good Luck and I hope all goes well and you have your plastic soon!

-geo

I don't believe it speeds up your processing. As far as the classroom goes, it complicates things when we get to the paperwork.

mr.72 wrote:it doesn't appear to speed up the application process at all.

If there is a problem, you have the chance to get it fixed before class, instead of after. My buddy is currently already 2 months behind waiting for a problem from another city that was uncovered AFTER he took the class and mailed it off.

I applied online 126 days ago and no plastic and no delays I think the only advantage is you get your pin sooner and that will tend to take you to the web site to check and frustrate you. Apply online and get ready for the wait. Good luck

I found it to be a benefit to apply online when I got my CHL a few years ago. I was able to fill out the application by typing in the blanks instead of writing when I recieved the packet. This eliminated the possibility of someone misreading my chicken scratch and speed up the process for me. Having the application prefilled did not cause any complications for me in class, it just gave me time to review material while everyone else had to write. I jended up getting my CHL in 42 days from mailbox to mailbox.

remington79 wrote:I found it to be a benefit to apply online when I got my CHL a few years ago. I was able to fill out the application by typing in the blanks instead of writing when I recieved the packet. This eliminated the possibility of someone misreading my chicken scratch and speed up the process for me. Having the application prefilled did not cause any complications for me in class, it just gave me time to review material while everyone else had to write. I jended up getting my CHL in 42 days from mailbox to mailbox.

+1. To me this is a big plus, especially since DPS has had to hire temps to try and catch up with all the recent applications. The less they have to do (like key in your information from your "chicken scratch") the better.

question for those that applied online, how long did it take to get the packet? i applied online about 10 days ago and took the class over the weekend and am now just waiting for my packet to submit all my paperwork.

I took my class on a Saturday, applied online on a Sunday night, and received my packet the following Thursday. I got my license in 79 days.

Personally, I think there is more upside to going the online route than the manual paperwork route. First, it should cut down on data entry mistakes because it is you typing in the information, and not someone at DPS trying to read your handwriting. Second, you pay when you submit the application, so that is one less step DPS has to do to process your application. As mentioned in the post mentioned by others, I believe this allows you to bypass the Cash Receiving department thus saving you potentially 1-2 weeks. Last, if you apply online, you get your PIN number when you receive your inital packet, rather than the 1-2 months that people who send in the manual paperwork have to wait.

I cannot see how the online packet complicates things in class. It's the same paperwork, but instead of a yellow application form that comes in the manual packet, you get a white application form with the information pre-printed. All of the other forms are the same

BigBlueDodge wrote:I cannot see how the online packet complicates things in class.

You'd be surprised. Having two types of applications (three, including renewals), means explaining which 'application number' to write on certain forms. Sounds simple, but many people have problems with it.