How Accurate Does Your CHL Info Need To Be?

Post by **Skiprr** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:16 pm

Something caught my attention today as I was rearranging stuff in my wallet, and I'm wondering if I need to take any action.

My CHL is recent, and in other posts you may have seen me comment that even after a few emails and a telephone call to DPS, I was never able log-on to the texasonline.gov Website for status during my 90-day package-to-plastic wait. Lo and behold, as I was tucking my license into its new spot behind my driver's license, I notice that the birth date on the CHL is two years too recent. Sure enough, I went to the Website and entered all my info plus the incorrect birth date, and bingo, I'm logged in.

So I go pull the photocopies of the application. Plain as day, the correct birth date is on the forms and completely legible...the same date that's on my driver's license, my passport, everything--except my CHL. I'm also now wondering if this typographical error is what caused me to have a 90-day wait: I have zero, zilch, nada on my record, so I'm wondering if they saw data from the background check that showed a conflict in the birth date, so they kept digging a little longer and deeper.

Not that I mind being mistaken to be a couple of years younger than I really am, but I'm a little concerned that this inaccuracy could cause me problems down the line, if not with a LEO identification situation, then with my CHL renewal when it comes time.

To all you instructors and gurus: Should I contact DPS and inform them of the error, or just be thankful that I have official plastic and go about my business?

Thanks!

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:40 pm

Call them up now...Ask them what you should do...It wasn't your fault the ID was physically processed incorrectly...

I believe the turnaround should be pretty quick...

See what they say...But I would call and ask today, right now...Post haste!!! andele!!!

Let us know what they say as well...git r dun!

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:28 pm

stevie_d_64 wrote:Call them up now...Ask them what you should do...It wasn't your fault the ID was physically processed incorrectly...

I believe the turnaround should be pretty quick...

See what they say...But I would call and ask today, right now...Post haste!!! andele!!!

Let us know what they say as well...git r dun!

Agreed. Oh, do this quickly too!

Post by **Skiprr** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:17 pm

Well, "H," and "E," plus double hockey sticks.

I was hoping I'd hear, "No biggie. Just an administrative error. Don't worry about it."

Instead, I got this big piece of gravel under my saddle.

I'll call DPS in the morning.

Assuming mine may not be a unique situation--past or future--I'll keep you updated.

Post by **Crossfire** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:49 pm

Don't get too up tight about it. Your CHL is still valid. They just need to get you a new one, with your correct birthdate on it.

I have only had one (that I am aware of) student with a similar problem. His name was spelled incorrecty on his license. DPS replaced it, no charge. Took about 2 weeks.

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:08 pm

llwatson wrote:Don't get too up tight about it. Your CHL is still valid. They just need to get you a new one, with your correct birthdate on it.

I have only had one (that I am aware of) student with a similar problem. His name was spelled incorrecty on his license. DPS replaced it, no charge. Took about 2 weeks.

Since this has never happened to me, nor been discussed before, would he have to destroy the incorrect license, or send it back to DPS and they'd do whatever they need to do with it...

I only say that because it is not a common license or certificate, and possibly allowing that to arbitrarily fall into hands that could duplicate one that could be used in a manner un-befitting...

I shred my own after they expired, but in this case, would they really care what happens to it...

Just thinking aloud...I know...It hurts...

Post by **Crossfire** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:24 pm

They should ask you to send the old one back when you get the new one.

Post by **Skiprr** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:30 pm

llwatson wrote:They should ask you to send the old one back when you get the new one.

Thank you. And Steve's head is hurting less.

Figures that this middle-aged guy who hasn't even a speeding ticket on his record would become a test case.

But I know Murphy well, and I adapt to his laws...

jimlongley · Post by **jimlongley** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:58 am

When I changed my address, DPS told me not to return the old CHL, they didn't want it back, but to destroy it immediately on receipt of the new one because it was illegal to possess two.

kw5kw · Post by **kw5kw** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:09 pm

Skiprr wrote:
llwatson wrote:They should ask you to send the old one back when you get the new one.
Thank you. And Steve's head is hurting less.

Figures that this middle-aged guy who hasn't even a speeding ticket on his record would become a test case.

But I know Murphy well, and I adapt to his laws...

Wow... NEVER even a speedin' ticket

You've been a real

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:43 pm

kw5kw wrote:
Skiprr wrote:
llwatson wrote:They should ask you to send the old one back when you get the new one.
Thank you. And Steve's head is hurting less.

Figures that this middle-aged guy who hasn't even a speeding ticket on his record would become a test case.

But I know Murphy well, and I adapt to his laws...
Wow... NEVER even a speedin' ticket

You've been a real

I know some guys who can change that...

Post by **Skiprr** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:46 pm

kw5kw wrote:Wow... NEVER even a speedin' ticket

Not on the record, anyway. Had one in '96 or '97, but did the defensive driving class thing. Also had one around 1975 driving between Houston and San Antonio, but I highly doubt that one is still hanging around in the system after 31 years.

Yeah, I sometimes speed...but not often and not by much. If the speed limit is 65 on an open stretch of highway, you'll find me doing around 68. I don't run stop signs or red lights, either. And to really freak you out, I don't talk on the cell phone when driving, and I always signal when I change lanes.

Too, 95% of my time behind the wheel is in Houston rush hour. So I'm ecstatic if I can get up to about 30 mph in a 65 zone on the Beltway. Unless I whip over on the shoulder, I typically don't have much opportunity to speed.

Post by **Skiprr** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:57 pm

stevie_d_64 wrote:Call them up now...Ask them what you should do...It wasn't your fault the ID was physically processed incorrectly...

Well, what I thought was going to be a nasty, sharp rock under my saddle turned out to be a non-issue thanks to a very good customer service experience with DPS. Very politely, efficiently, and professionally handled.

I explained the situation briefly. I was thanked for bringing it to their attention; told that a new license would be prepared and that I could expect it within three weeks. No further questions were asked; no additional charge to me. I was told that I should destroy the current license when the new one arrives, but as Linda said, was assured the current plastic is perfectly valid until the new one arrives. Without my asking, the analyst told me she would also correct the Website log-in data. And I was thanked again for brining it to their attention.

Kudos to all our friends at DPS!

Post by **Skiprr** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:07 pm

Wrapping up this Topic with the happy ending.

New plastic arrived today in exactly the same no-other-info-included envelope that we get we all get our licenses in. So with no additional information, the old license met the cross-cut shredder.

Eighteen calendar days from contact with DPS to replacement plastic, and everything on the license is now absolutely correct. Good customer service; though suddenly I now feel two years older...