TexasCHLforum.com

I will answer my own question...Q: How long is a license valid?

A: An initial CHL expires on the license holder’s first birthday

following the four-year anniversary of the issuance of the license. In

other words, an intial license is valid for four (4) years, and in many

cases, for some additional months. All renewed licenses are valid for

five (5) years.

I finally received my plastic! 144 days from start to finish. After the DPS email that stated my license was mailed out on 10/22/08, I have been camping out at the mail box. My plastic arrived today (10/27), but the post mark states 10/24...go figure. My birth date is in January and my license is set to expire in January 2013. That is only 4 years and 2 months. Should it expire in January 2014 (5 years)?

I also had to wait for the Harris County background check and I also received the Ike letter. I contacted Governor Rick Perry, DPS and my representative recently. I talked to Jessica on 10/14 and she stated that DPS was waiting on my background checks. She put me on hold and then told me that she received the Harris County background check today. I called back on 10/22 and talked to Erika and she also stated that DPS was waiting on the Harris County background check. I told her that DPS received them on 10/14. She put me on hold and then stated that DPS had received them and that they are processing my application. She could not give me a time frame as to when it would be completed. Due to this frustration, I contacted Governor Rick Perry's office again, my representative and an email to DPS. The DPS office emailed me back and the email stated, "Your License was mailed on 10/22/08. Please allow time for delivery." It is still showing "Processing Application" in the computer. We shall see if it arrives in the mail in a couple of days...

05/31 - CHL Class
06/02 - Mailed Application
06/05 - DPS Received Application (Day 1)
07/16 - PIN Received (Day 41)
09/26 - Letter: Hurricane Ike (Day 113)
10/14 - DPS: Received Harris County Background Check (Day 131)
10/16 - Letter: Governor Rick Perry (Day 133)
10/22 - Letter: Governor Rick Perry (Day 139)
10/22 - Letter: Representative Rob Eissler (Day 139)
10/22 - DPS: "Your license was mailed." (Day 139)
10/22 - Texas Online: Still states "Processing Application." (Day 139)
10/22 – Waiting for my plastic in the mail…