Search found 2 matches
Return to “Petition to the Governor and the Texas DPS.”
- Mon Jun 22, 2015 10:29 am
- Forum: DPS Updates
- Topic: Petition to the Governor and the Texas DPS.
- Replies: 19
- Views: 22731
Re: Petition to the Governor and the Texas DPS.
Cross-post. Sorry, Charles. I like my graph, though, so I think I'll leave it.
- Mon Jun 22, 2015 10:28 am
- Forum: DPS Updates
- Topic: Petition to the Governor and the Texas DPS.
- Replies: 19
- Views: 22731
Re: Petition to the Governor and the Texas DPS.
I got my license 10 years ago and, in my opinion, DPS has steadily and continuously made operational improvements and increased efficiency. You need a basis for comparison. In 2005, nobody really expected the 60 days stated in the law to be met. My background is squeaky clean, and mine took 89 days. I think 70 to 80 days was common. CHL class that was twice as long; manual, inked fingerprint cards that, not atypically, were rejected for a redo because the prints weren't legible enough; no online document submission; CHL class required for every renewal; your driver's license photo could not be used on your CHL, and you had to submit standard, passport photographs...among other changes.
As to the background checks, keep in mind that DPS--as the law stipulates--does not rely solely on FBI results. Local jurisdictions have to be consulted to turn up some arrest records, including misdemeanor charges that were dismissed. If I had to guess, it's that local jurisdiction's response that is greatest bottleneck in the process, and neither the Governor nor DPS has any control whatsoever over that. There's no penalty in the law to the local jurisdiction for taking longer than stipulated to return information. Now visualize maybe two clerical employees in Bell County getting a handful of CHL applications from DPS at the same time. Their boss still wants all their regular work done, so guess what...CHL background research gets pushed back on the priority list.
And, yes, overall demand has increased greatly during that decade:
Despite that rapid increase in demand, DPS has improved its efficiency in licensing. It's much better, not worse.
The result is that many, like the OP, have come to fully expect, even demand, results faster than allowed by law. Inadvertent slip or not, the OP said he was frustrated he wasn't receiving his license in four to six weeks...which would be 25% to 50% faster than the law states.
So, no, I won't be signing the petition and, if Change.org permits it, I'd go so far as to recommend you delete it. There are far more pressing matters on the plate of Governor Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Just my humble opinion.
As to the background checks, keep in mind that DPS--as the law stipulates--does not rely solely on FBI results. Local jurisdictions have to be consulted to turn up some arrest records, including misdemeanor charges that were dismissed. If I had to guess, it's that local jurisdiction's response that is greatest bottleneck in the process, and neither the Governor nor DPS has any control whatsoever over that. There's no penalty in the law to the local jurisdiction for taking longer than stipulated to return information. Now visualize maybe two clerical employees in Bell County getting a handful of CHL applications from DPS at the same time. Their boss still wants all their regular work done, so guess what...CHL background research gets pushed back on the priority list.
And, yes, overall demand has increased greatly during that decade:
Despite that rapid increase in demand, DPS has improved its efficiency in licensing. It's much better, not worse.
The result is that many, like the OP, have come to fully expect, even demand, results faster than allowed by law. Inadvertent slip or not, the OP said he was frustrated he wasn't receiving his license in four to six weeks...which would be 25% to 50% faster than the law states.
So, no, I won't be signing the petition and, if Change.org permits it, I'd go so far as to recommend you delete it. There are far more pressing matters on the plate of Governor Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Just my humble opinion.