Get that return receipt!

[Chip]

I made two mistakes in filing my application with DPS: I sent regular mail, instead of return receipt requested, and I sent a cashier's check (which is what the instructions say to do!) instead of a personal check. That will make it a little more difficult to prove when DPS received my application if I decide to appeal the implicit denial - DPS first record of my application is when it went to "Processing Application".

Folks already hanging out here in the waiting room know to send a personal check so that they can see when it clears, and also to get a return receipt so that there is documentation on when DPS receives the application. Of course, many folks only find the forum after sending in the application, and by then it's too late.

My suggestion: next time you're talking to a CHL instructor, ask them to tell the class to send in the application certified, return receipt requested. That will help future applicants.

DPS is telling me that the date the status went to "Processing Application" is when the 30 / 60 day clock starts ticking. That's not accurate, but it seems apparent that applicants will need to have their own documentation available to argue the point if a denial hearing becomes necessary.

[Mithras61]

You're right about sending certified mail with return receipt requested, ans such, but what reasonable person would argue that it takes 6 weeks for US Mail to arrive in Austin from anywhere in Texas? I mean, even the old mail-by-stagecoach didn't take THAT long within the state. Normal expectation is between 3 and 7 days from the date that the mail is dropped. Yes, it does occasionally take longer than that, but I've never had anything get "lost" for 4 or 5 weeks and then reappear, which is essentially what would have to have happened in your case. They're claiming that they didn't receive it until they started processing it, which is silly. That it sat in their "In" box for five weeks is much more likely.

[Chip]

That it sat in their "In" box for five weeks is much more likely.

Agreed. The point is that it's a good idea to have documentation of when you sent it in, and when they received it.

[Mithras61]

That it sat in their "In" box for five weeks is much more likely.

Agreed. The point is that it's a good idea to have documentation of when you sent it in, and when they received it.

I agree with you on that. I'm just saying that it seems unlikely to me that the courts would believe that it took six weeks for them to receive it from you by mail.

The certified mail also shows that you MAILED it on a certain date as well, instead of requiring that the court believe that you mailed it when you SAY you did...

[timdsmith72]

For whatever it's worth, when I took the class, the instructor said never send a personal check. Because that's exactly what they would do. Keep the application in their inbox for weeks.

He also advised us to send it certified and request a receipt.

[RiveraRa]

I mailed mine certified and included a Money Order. I was able to calle the 1-800 number for the MO to tell when it was cashed.

[maxpower]

my CHL instructor said send certified mail and personal check....that's what I did

[USA1]

i sent a cashiers check , and was able to call the bank to find out when it was cashed .

[jdwashburn]

I paid on the internet with a credit card, and sent regular mail, about 30 days after it was sent i called to make sure that they received my application and they told me they received 2 days after i sent, but still on 107ish with still processing

[Tim_the_Bald]

I made two mistakes in filing my application with DPS: I sent regular mail, instead of return receipt requested, and I sent a cashier's check (which is what the instructions say to do!) instead of a personal check. That will make it a little more difficult to prove when DPS received my application if I decide to appeal the implicit denial - DPS first record of my application is when it went to "Processing Application".

Folks already hanging out here in the waiting room know to send a personal check so that they can see when it clears, and also to get a return receipt so that there is documentation on when DPS receives the application. Of course, many folks only find the forum after sending in the application, and by then it's too late.

My suggestion: next time you're talking to a CHL instructor, ask them to tell the class to send in the application certified, return receipt requested. That will help future applicants.

DPS is telling me that the date the status went to "Processing Application" is when the 30 / 60 day clock starts ticking. That's not accurate, but it seems apparent that applicants will need to have their own documentation available to argue the point if a denial hearing becomes necessary.

My CHL instructor said exactly the opposite. DO NOT send it certified mail, because it goes to a PO box and someone has to go down and sign for it, taking time away from the actual processing of applications.

That being said, I wish I had sent some sort of delivery confirmation, because a renewal must be processed within 45 days, and now I don't know when to send the letter requesting the appeal. I guess I have to use the "Processing Application" date. Oh, well, glad I have the PA license.

[chartreuse]

As I mentioned in another thread, I sent a cashiers check. This was because while the instructions said a personal check was OK, the form said that a personal check would be rejected. I didn't know which was correct, so I played it safe.

I did send it certified, return receipt, though.

[Backslider]

My CHL instructor said exactly the opposite. DO NOT send it certified mail, because it goes to a PO box and someone has to go down and sign for it, taking time away from the actual processing of applications.

I sent my application certified mail. DPS stamped rather than signed the return postcard, and only two days elapsed between when the USPS said it was delivered and my application transitioned to Processing.

So apparently they've at least figured out how to pick up the mail without introducing delays.

[BrianSW99]

If it's like most other large organizations that use a PO box as their mailing address, the mail actually gets delivered directly to the mail room on-site. There's not actually a "box" at the post office that someone has to go check every day.

Brian