CHL taking way more than 60 days

[dizzy]

I took my CHL class in January and mailed off all of my paperwork to DPS on Feburary 20. It is now May 16 so my CHL has so far taken almost 90 days. I called DPS in Austin last week to be sure that there was nothing wrong and to find out if they could tell me what might be delaying my CHL. The lady on the phone asked for my drivers license number and pulled up my info. She said there is nothing wrong, that they didnt start processing my application until April 9 so it could take 60 days from then. I wouldnt have a problem with this except that I got my PIN number for the DPS website in early March so by entering my info in their system and sending me a PIN number, that means that it had started processing. 2 people I know have already recieved their CHL but they submitted their info right after taking the class in January.

Has anyone else experienced such a long window before they started processing? If they started processing my application on April 9, and they finish on June 9 (60 days), then it will be 120 days total that it took to get my permit..

[Kalrog]

I had a wait of nearly 120 days and that was the longest that I had heard of at the time.

Call back because the person that told you the clock started on 9 April is not correct. Neither is it correct that it starts when you get your PIN. It starts the day they receive the application - so probably the end of February (say the 28th just to be generous). And don't let them tell you that it is 60 business days either. The law is 60 calendar days.

Be polite, but be the wheel that needs the grease.

[seamusTX]

I took my CHL class in January and mailed off all of my paperwork to DPS on Feburary 20. It is now May 16 so my CHL has so far taken almost 90 days.

If you don't mind my asking, did you live or work out of state or in a bunch of counties in the last five years, or is your real name a common one?

I've been wondering why the processing time varies so widely. I'm guessing that the more counties and states they have to check with, the greater opportunity for delay.

- Jim

[dizzy]

you don't mind my asking, did you live or work out of state or in a bunch of counties in the last five years, or is your real name a common one?

- Jim

Yes, I have worked overseas alot (probably 10 different countries total) in the past 20 years, probably overseas about 10 years in all. I have never lived in another state in the U.S. though. Would this slow down the process? My first name is a pretty common name but my last name is not so common (but not middle eastern sounding either).. If they are just checking me out, I dont mind, I have done nothing wrong and my record should be clean. If they have found something that looks suspicious to them, I would like to know about it and have it straightened up..

Thanks, I didnt think about this, but maybe that is it, maybe they see in my tax record my overseas stuff..

[BrassMonkey]

They issue a PIN when they receive the application. They send a letter with said PIN when they ACCEPT your application. Once accepted, they start PROCESSING it.

They have 60 days by statute, but what are you gonna do, sue em? Call down there and ask for Sarah. She is answering phones today and is one of the back-end processors :-)

[seamusTX]

Yes, I have worked overseas alot (probably 10 different countries total) in the past 20 years, ...

Did you put your overseas work locations on your application?

I have no idea how they handle that.

maybe they see in my tax record my overseas stuff..

I'm pretty sure DPS has no access to your federal income tax return. That is normally available only for tax or federal criminal investigations (like money laundering).

I asked about your name, because people whose names are common will have a bunch of criminals and deadbeats with the same name.

- Jim

[HankB]

Things like this are one of my pet peeves - government is REQUIRED BY LAW to perform certain actions (such as processing a CHL application in 60 days) but there is NO penalty if they don't.

Nobody loses their job.

Nobody is reprimanded.

You don't get compensated.

And perish the thought that some bureaucrat should be prosecuted.

Making laws that require government action essentially meaningless.

[dizzy]

Did you put your overseas work locations on your application?

No, I didnt put anything on my application about living overseas..

I'm pretty sure DPS has no access to your federal income tax return. That is normally available only for tax or federal criminal investigations (like money laundering).

I thought they did.. I thought if you owed taxes or child support that they could make you pay up before obtaining your license. Anyway, I dont owe either taxes or child support so that wouldnt explain it. When you said that it just made me think living overseas might have delayed the application.

I asked about your name, because people whose names are common will have a bunch of criminals and deadbeats with the same name.

When I search online, I find alot of people with the same name but hopefully none of them have or are using my social security number. Honestly, this taking so long is making me worry about what actually is on my record and worry about identity theft or something!

Thanks alot for the information..

[seamusTX]

Things like this are one of my pet peeves - government is REQUIRED BY LAW to perform certain actions ... but there is NO penalty if they don't.

I'm pretty sure that you can get a court order to compel them to comply. I realize that's an expensive proposition for slow CHL processing, but it is appropriate in other situations.

The Legislature can also have hearings and reprimand people, and essentially embarrass them into resigning. You don't see that often in Texas, but it happens in the Federal government.

What else can be done, really? People would be reluctant to take a job where things not in their control made them liable to fines or prosection.

No, I didnt put anything on my application about living overseas..

In that case, it probably is not a factor. I suspect (and this is just a guess) that the main reason for delays is the background checks. County sheriffs have no incentive to perform them quickly. The FBI is not answerable to the state, either.

I'm pretty sure DPS has no access to your federal income tax return.

I thought they did.. I thought if you owed taxes or child support that they could make you pay up before obtaining your license.

Only state taxes. You have to sign an affidavit saying that you aren't delinquent on state taxes, state loans, or child support. The state can check these things. I don't know whether they actually check.

Honestly, this taking so long is making me worry about what actually is on my record and worry about identity theft or something!

I don't think you need to lose sleep. You can check your credit report for anomalies if you suspect identity theft.

It's most likely a delayed response from a county sheriff or the FBI.

Others can tell you how to yank DPS's chain politely. (It's best to be polite with bureaucrats if you're not related to someone important.)

- Jim

[dizzy]

Maybe the wait is because I sent them a couple of e-mail early on trying to understand what was going on with my application. I didnt understand the PIN thing at the website and sent some e-mails back and forth. I was polite but maybe I irritated them off so they put my app at the bottom of the pile or something. Anyway, I will sit and wait until June 9 (will be 60 days from April 9 when they say they started processing it).. If I have not heard anything by then, I will call them again. Fearing that I annoyed them, I am afraid to call and ask..

Thanks for your information!

Steve

[dizzy]

Well, I broke down and called DPS again.. They said that my paperwork is with a Technician and transferred me to that Technician. The Technician was on the phone so I left her a voicemail. Hopefully she will call back and I can find out more information..

- Steve

[dizzy]

Well, I broke down and called DPS again.. They said that my paperwork is with a Technician and transferred me to that Technician. The Technician was on the phone so I left her a voicemail. Hopefully she will call back and I can find out more information..

- Steve

Ok, I called them and there was something that happened 23 years ago which they were checking out. The girl on the phone was really good, explained everything, and once we talked, she later called me back and said that my permit is on it's way. Should have been mailed out yesterday so hope to get it in the mail today or tomorrow! I am not annoyed with them at all, in fact, I am happy that they actually are checking people out so well! The problem that they found with me was not a problem but the fact that they found it, means they are doing their jobs right!

[jhutto]

I think after the 60 day's you are supposed to go to a local judge or somthing...