$140.00 Get You A Long Wait Time - Email Governor Abbott

[eaglengraver]

I, like most on this forum, am playing a long waiting game that dates back to mid December for my new LTC. Emails to DPS go unanswered and getting through on the phone is like winning the powerball. I know that many here say we are all in the same boat and that we just need to wait. However, we should remember that an LTC costs $140.00 paid months before we receive our licenses. if the DPS is overwhelmed with applications, then maybe they should use some of that extra revenue and hire some people?

I encourage everyone to email Governor Abbott and let our representatives in government that passed this law, know what the citizens are going through to be able to take advantage of it.

https://gov.texas.gov/contact/

[android]

Whoa Betsy...

Back in the day, a lot of us waited 4 -6 months.

Have patience.

[randy634]

Whoa Betsy...

Back in the day, a lot of us waited 4 -6 months.

Have patience.

Yep. I remember the wait was like 6 plus months with a clean record. I could be wrong, but maybe its the 100s of phone calls a day of folks wanting to check status that could be slowing down the process a little.

Have patience. I know it's hard. Hang in there.

[ELB]

IIRC the statute tasks DPS with doing initial licenses within 60 or 65 days. That is law, not DPS policy. It's gravy when you get it earlier.

Yes a few years ago it was dragging out waaaaay beyond that. DPS hired a new honcho for licensing, rearranged some things, and got processing time back within the statutory time frame.

If DPS staffed to specifically/always issue initials and renewals well in advance of the statutory time limits, then they would be open to charges of wasting taxpayer money and open to budget and staffing cuts.

If you want things to go faster, then lobby your representative and senator to 1) change the law to reduce the statutory limits, and 2) appropriate the money the let DPS staff to the new requirements. (Or go constitutional carry and drop requirement for a license altogether). Also start digging into the sofa seat cushions and under the car seat for some spare change and get ready for a tax increase somewhere, either directly through the licensing fees or less obviously somewhere else. TANSTAAFL.

It appears from most of the comments I read on this forum that DPS is doing a pretty good job, not perfect but pretty darn good, of getting licenses out in the statutory time frame. If I were a legislator and found that DPS was getting 90% of the licenses out on time, I would not be eager to dump more of the budget in their pockets.

If your individual case has gone over the statutory limit, then yes, it might be worth a call to your rep to call DPS and see what's what, but otherwise, no. Just keep in mind that the clock doesn't start until DPS has a complete package -- if something get left out and they have to call the applicant to get things, that shouldn't count against them.

If anything I'd like to see the license fee go down. $140 is pretty steep. (yes, lots of discounts for various parties, but still).

ETA:
I just found it in the Government Code. 60 days. UNLESS there is something in the application package that raises a question, then they get up to 180 days.

[infoman]

I agree with the above post. Also, the $140 (or any other TLC related fees) does not go back solely to fund the program. The money goes to a general centralized DPS fund. You're paying trooper's salaries, DL offices, motor carrier, Private security, on and on and on...

Also, when people call their reps, Governor office, etc.- all they do is file a legislative action sheet to DPS for that individual person & DPS turns the office inside out & expedites that one person to respond to the action sheet. This makes the individual happy, but solves nothing for the whole.

DPS is on a very strict budget, it's regulated by the legislature. They can't just go "hire" 20 people whenever they want to. Every single year they get behind from Thanksgiving until Spring. This year was extra bad in that you had open carry, campus carry, instructor renewals, on top of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, etc. And when do you think most state employees take use vacation/comp time? A: Nov-Jan

I advise people to tell their reps, Gov's office, etc to budget DPS better & be better prepared for big peak seasons like the one we're in now. Tell them too that DPS needs a more user friendly website & needs better training to their instructors. If anyone simply complains only about their individual application, nothing will get fixed. DPS needs to improve their website, emails reply's, confusing checklists, etc. & btw the phone clerks have zero power & don't even process apps, being rude to them gets you nowhere.

[Pawpaw]

I agree with the above post. Also, the $140 (or any other TLC related fees) does not go back solely to fund the program. The money goes to a general centralized DPS fund. You're paying trooper's salaries, DL offices, motor carrier, Private security, on and on and on...

Also, when people call their reps, Governor office, etc.- all they do is file a legislative action sheet to DPS for that individual person & DPS turns the office inside out & expedites that one person to respond to the action sheet. This makes the individual happy, but solves nothing for the whole.

DPS is on a very strict budget, it's regulated by the legislature. They can't just go "hire" 20 people whenever they want to. Every single year they get behind from Thanksgiving until Spring. This year was extra bad in that you had open carry, campus carry, instructor renewals, on top of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, etc. And when do you think most state employees take use vacation/comp time? A: Nov-Jan

I advise people to tell their reps, Gov's office, etc to budget DPS better & be better prepared for big peak seasons like the one we're in now. Tell them too that DPS needs a more user friendly website & needs better training to their instructors. If anyone simply complains only about their individual application, nothing will get fixed. DPS needs to improve their website, emails reply's, confusing checklists, etc. & btw the phone clerks have zero power & don't even process apps, being rude to them gets you nowhere.

I could not disagree with you more on the items I highlighted.

The more those reps get called, the more it raises awareness there is a problem. Not only with the legiscritters, but also with DPS. Do you really think DPS likes the reps poking their noses into DPS business? Every time someone who is over 60 days calls, it is a very real and demonstrable complaint. Instead of empty hot air, it is a traceable incident. The more there are, the better the chances are of getting it fixed.

[JerryK]

I am sorry I have to write this but, I tell my customers that if they need it tomorrow they should have called it in a week ago not today. The same thing applies here. Why didn't they apply last year or the year before. It is not like they just made a CHL available this year.

[Redneck_Buddha]

My wife is volunteering for a government sponsored advocacy program, and her background check (same as carry) will take 3-4 months they say.

[rotor]

Why not check out this post to see what the wait times are
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=2398

I am not saying DPS is doing a good job, but thank goodness they are busy with a ton of applicants. 20 years ago I could call down there and speak to someone in authority and things were handled right away. Not anymore. It is frustrating having to wait longer than the legal limits but that's the way it is with government. Your plastic will come through though. Writing the gov is not the way to go- contact your senator or congressman if you want to complain. My recommendation is to sit tight, it will come. Remember, you are dealing with government- not a private business.

[longhorn86]

What everyone needs to realize is that since the San Bernadino attack, there has been an incredible surge in folks applying for LTC. I would imagine that DPS has been overwhelmed by this. I spoke to folks at my gun club who hold LTC classes regularly about if they had seen an uptick in business since that happened. Their response was yes, but the huge surge was in demand for LTC classes. They said they had to basically double the number of classes to accommodate the increased demand.

I'm sure that the extended wait times are incredibly frustrating for those in the process now, but my advice is to be paitient, your plastic will come. And all should rejoice in the fact that so many new LTC's will be joining our ranks very soon, and that will serve our cause well in the future!

[jkb8705]

there are issues with the DPS system. there are renewals taking anywhere from 60 to 100+ days. my fingerprints were lost in their database. it's a major issue that isn't being addressed. I emailed my state senator and he and his staff agree and will be looking into it. I do suggest emailing your reps, senators, and Abbott so we can see things fixed instead of being content with less.

[Bryanmc]

Someone told me a long time ago... "I've only got two speeds, and if you don't like this one, you're damn sure not gonna like the other one". Every time one of those folks has to answer the phone (which must be almost constantly) it takes time away from processing apps.

[infoman]

The people who answer the phones don't process apps.

[Breny414]

there are issues with the DPS system. there are renewals taking anywhere from 60 to 100+ days. my fingerprints were lost in their database. it's a major issue that isn't being addressed. I emailed my state senator and he and his staff agree and will be looking into it. I do suggest emailing your reps, senators, and Abbott so we can see things fixed instead of being content with less.

Agreed. I don't have a problem with the time it's taking now because I know it's due to the influx of apps due to Paris, San Bernadino, Open Carry, etc., etc..State agencies can't just staff up that fast to meet a temporary demand. And if they could, new employees would have to be trained. But they could do a MUCH better job communicating with folks, and a good status tracking web tool would do the trick, I think. They should also update their website with current estimated processing times based on current demand for licenses.

Just some thoughts.

[Breny414]

Someone told me a long time ago... "I've only got two speeds, and if you don't like this one, you're darn sure not gonna like the other one". Every time one of those folks has to answer the phone (which must be almost constantly) it takes time away from processing apps.

I've been told that before. It was from a gentleman in Lubbock. I am wondering if it's a West Texas proverb.