Fingerprint advice needed

[Nano]

Four years ago when I got my CHL I had to go to the local L1 office for finger printing. The first set was unacceptable so I had to make another appointment for a retry. They didn't tell me if my second set passed but I did receive my CHL a few weeks later. I am one of those people with almost smooth fingers and little ridge detail. I sent in an application via internet for renewal. Today I received a letter stating that my most recent fingerprint submission does not meet their quality standards. I have an appointment with L1 on Wednesday afternoon. Is there anything that I can do to insure that L1 can get a good set for DPS. After all on TV they can get a good fingerprint off an old dirty shoe.

[Scott B.]

I believe it's possible to get waiver.

Would hydration help? I have no idea. Interesting issue.

[FCH]

I had my fingerprints taken Oct 8 and they were rejected. I went back Oct 15th and had them redone. MorphoTrust had installed some new software that gave a better quality check at the time they were taking the prints. Second time worked.

There was a lady in front of me that said she had trouble every time. She was using hand lotion. They had to keep wiping the glass and her fingers but made it through. Of course I don't know if she was ultimately successful or not.

Good luck!

[WTR]

When I was printed by FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICES, Their scanner could not read my prints. They kept a bottle of Corn Husker lotion by the scanner. Two applications later, and all went well.

[Crossfire]

Corn Husker's lotion is like fingerprint magic. Get some today. Use it religiously between now and your appointment.

On the day of your appointment, drink LOTS of water before you go. Plump fingers have better ridges.

And DO NOT wash your hands right before you get printed. It dries them out.

Then, don't get too worked up about it. Some people just do not have classifiable fingerprints. If you don't, well, you just don't. You will have to make two separate attempts, and then, if still not classifiable, they will run your background check without the prints.

[tlt]

Wife ends up going 3 times every time before they go ahead and issue. Ridiculous. This was referred to during the last session by a person of color who claimed it was an excuse to not issue licenses. That argument is bogus, but the process should be fixed for those folks who don't print well. If you have to "alter" your body to give prints, then it's not your natural print. IMO

[Nano]

Thanks for all of the great advice. I'll get a bottle of Corn Huskers this morning and use it until my appointment tomorrow afternoon. I'll also chug a lug water. When you have your drivers license renewed they have you put your thumb on a scanner. This verifies who you are. Never had a problem with that. I have a Samsung GS5 cell phone. It has a feature that allows you to unlock the phone just by swiping your finger. It works great. You would think L1 or Morpho Trust, as it is now called, would have far better technology than a cell phone. I'll post again after my appointment.

[Nano]

I went to Morpho Trust today for my CHL fingerprints. I chug a lugged a lot of water and kept Corn Huskers on my fingers for a day and a half. The fingerprint technician said she will probably see me again. I could see on the screen just how little definition my fingerprints have. She worked really hard to get the best ones. Her guess was that the state would reject them and send me a letter saying I would need to repeat the process, just like 4 years ago.

She said that after the second failure, if there is one, that the state will usually go ahead and issue the CHL. I think the state will just use the criminal background check. I asked her if there was anything that could be used to bring out the detail. She said no, not anything that she knew of. Obviously Corn Huskers didn't help in my case.

[tlt]

I'd like to hear more about the Waiver Scott B brought up.

[Scott B.]

That may be spurious. My mother was in her mid 60s when she got her CHL. Several women in her class/group had fingerprint issues including her. She said a couple had to get 'waivers.' I didn't question it.

[tlt]

I got a fingerprint gun safe for the bed stand, the bad news it was wife proof. I still haven't found another version, it also has an annoying beep when you unlock it, so much for the element of surprise.

[Nano]

Great news! My plastic came today and it is good until my birthday in 2021. Obviously they accepted my fingerprints or decided it was useless to make me go through the fingerprint process again. Either way I'm a happy camper. My initial application online for the renewal was 11/5/15 or almost one month. Pretty fast turn around considering that I had to go through the fingerprinting.

[Scott B.]

Congrats!