TexasCHLforum.com

Since I recently turned 59 1/2, I received the renewal letter from DPS six months in advance of my birthday (my current TX CHL expires on my 60th birthday this Fall).

Well, I was looking forward to the price break at age 60. Be nice to pay $35 for my renewal instead of $70.

However, the online application is saying I owe $70 for the renewal, apparently because I have not yet turned 60, even though the renewed license will be valid for age 60 to 65.

So do I need to let my license lapse, and then renew on my actual 60th birthday? If that is what I have to do, I have the luxury of possessing two other non-resident licenses that are valid in TX (UT and PA).

I can't be the only person in these forums who has dealt with an age 60 renewal. What say you?

I say call DPS and talk to them. It sounds like a failure in the online system.

Pawpaw wrote:I say call DPS and talk to them. It sounds like a failure in the online system.

Yeah. Boy, I sure hate calling them. When I have done so in the past, it meant trying to call multiple days and spending a lot of time on hold. It is not a customer-friendly experience.

I would not let it expire if it were me. I would just pay the $70.

Personally, I don't think the $35 is worth what will undoubtedly be a good chunk of hassle...

You could 'email' them about it. What DPS considers email is here... http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/contact/chl.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It even has a section for "fee question".

SkipB wrote:I would not let it expire if it were me. I would just pay the $70.

So I spoke with DPS on the phone. He said that I simply need to print the application and mail it with a check for $35.

The website is setup so that it checks my age at the time of form submittal. Sending an actual check to a real live human being allows them to realize the renewal is for age 60.

TX license are much more expensive than any state I've heard of. Note I said I've heard of, there may be more expensive.

ldj1002 wrote:TX license are much more expensive than any state I've heard of. Note I said I've heard of, there may be more expensive.

I pay $5 a year. My wife pays $25 a year. There are many other things that we spend much more money on that will not aide us in a life or death situation.

jmra wrote:

ldj1002 wrote:TX license are much more expensive than any state I've heard of. Note I said I've heard of, there may be more expensive.

I pay $5 a year. My wife pays $25 a year. There are many other things that we spend much more money on that will not aide us in a life or death situation.

Spot on jmra! totally!

jmra wrote:

ldj1002 wrote:TX license are much more expensive than any state I've heard of. Note I said I've heard of, there may be more expensive.

I pay $5 a year. My wife pays $25 a year. There are many other things that we spend much more money on that will not aide us in a life or death situation.

It is all context, though.

My PA license is $20 for 5 years. My UT license is $15 for 5 years. Those aren't super-dooper discount prices because I am some favored class of citizen, those are the renewal prices for everyone.

Jumping Frog wrote:

jmra wrote:

ldj1002 wrote:TX license are much more expensive than any state I've heard of. Note I said I've heard of, there may be more expensive.

I pay $5 a year. My wife pays $25 a year. There are many other things that we spend much more money on that will not aide us in a life or death situation.

It is all context, though.

My PA license is $20 for 5 years. My UT license is $15 for 5 years. Those aren't super-dooper discount prices because I am some favored class of citizen, those are the renewal prices for everyone.

Keeping it in context, both of those states have a state income tax.

Which does not pay for the handgun licensing.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate no state income tax.

However, I sti believe the DPS is a bloated, inefficient, and SLOW bureaucracy that charges ordinary people too much to get a license.