Both were this year, and during this pandemic. My DL does not have "Real ID" or whatever, it's the old school version. Reading here and elsewhere man the rules are hardcore. Documentation necessary:
1. Current DL
2. State issues birth certificate
3, Social Security card
4. Title or registration on a vehicle
5. insurance

I'm like damn you want blood and urine too? (I have to do both for my PCP on Friday )
The DL office, appointment only, OK fine. Like most of you I want this done now, a few months early as I don't want to go without a current DL or CHL. DL offices around me, booked with appointments into December, after my DL expires! Finally found a DL office, 45 minutes away that had appointments. Show up with all my documentation above and pull into the parking lot early. There is a line around the building. Fuck me, the DL office is always bad, but never seen anything like this in my life. I get in line with a binder with all my shit in it. People are driving up while we're standing in line trying to get in. The employee is saying no, back of the line, then these same people are walking by asking if you need an appointment. Several got pissed off after hearing the answer and stomped off. One guy peeled out of the parking lot driving sideways in his truck.

100 degree heat, sweating, same employee comes out and starts screaming "if your appointment is for 1:30, please go wait in your car and we'll come get you." Man, smh, and go fire up the truck for some A/C. 30 minutes later he brings out a sign, like someone advertising a mattress sale on the street corner. I can't read it, but get back in line. They take your temp, and half an hour later I get into the building for my appointment. Once inside, they have plastic chairs all laid out, 6 feet apart from each. I'm instructed to have a seat, like a 3 year old in preschool. Luckily some guy says "anywhere here for 1:30 appointment?" I jump up like they called my name at the Price is Right. Lady makes me do the eye test, I pass, she signs some document and I'm shuffled off again to a young man behind some glass. He only wants my DL and birth certificate. I ask what about all the other shit the email stated to bring "We don't need that" cuz Covid. Ok. Rest was easy. He must have been a newb because he had to ask the lady next to him constant questions. Got my photo taken, and 10 days later I get my new fancy "Real ID" license.

Also submitted my CHL renewal. Not my first renewal. That was online only, click some boxes, nothing has changed, pay the $42 fee and done. Get an email "as long as your DL photo and fingerprints meet standards" so in other words, potential for me to get finger printed again. Lord I hope not. And they have a new DL photo that I hope they use instead of my old one.

As said, DL received, quickly. If CHL arrives in a decent time will update. That DL office was a complete clusterfuck. Best of luck to anyone having to renew either during this. I think that DL office, prior to me getting in there was the biggest shit show I have seen yet for anything state or federal needed.

Need to double check, but pretty sure mine both expire in '22.

We have a DMV superstore nearby, hopefully less of a cluster when the time comes.

I drove from Temple to Gatesville to get my DL, when we moved here. Little old lady in the quick lube and I were talking..she gave me some sage advise. Gatesville is 30 miles one way, but there was a ten minute wait...not like Temple where I’ve seen the parking lot full at 0800...fuck that!

Mrs. Mike went there too. In and out in under 15 minutes.

My CHL/CCW/LTC isn’t due for a few years, so I might be ok with that

You did well by doing the DL first. I did my CHL/LTC renewal first and so my picture on my new LTC is my old DL picture.

If your concealed carry permit expires in Illinois, you have a ONE YEAR grace period. That is how screwed up things are here.

Just got my FFL 3, C&R renewed, piece of cake.

The “Mega Center” as a way of improving efficiency has been everything but. At least here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I could have badged my way to the front (DPS is totally supportive of LEO’s doing this), but that’s not my style. I used a day off from work to make the nice drive west out to the Mineral Wells DPS office and was in and out in 15 minutes. Drive a bit, and save a lot.

I got notice late last year IIRC that my TDL was not the Real ID type. I went to the DPS SuperCenter on Kukendahl (N. Houston) with all my docs as listed. Got signed in, left and came back in time for my appointment.

Lady was real thorough scanning all kinds of docs on the list.

She was cool and removed the eye glass restriction since my eyes have changed and I can see at a distance just fine now (less then arm length forget it)

CHL is due in '22 and will renew online, thank you TSRA!!

HK Ag

My DL expires next month, need to go in for the Real ID. Made an appointment couple weeks ago, earliest was....February. At least there's a grace period, something like 90 days after disaster is cancelled, whenever that happens.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
I drove from Temple to Gatesville to get my DL, when we moved here. Little old lady in the quick lube and I were talking..she gave me some sage advise. Gatesville is 30 miles one way, but there was a ten minute wait...not like Temple where I’ve seen the parking lot full at 0800...fuck that!

There's a similar trick around here. The offices in the bigger cities around are always a clusterfuck. But if you drive ~45 minutes west, to a tiny town almost to Oklahoma, you'll find an office that usually doesn't have much if any wait.

Totally worth the extra drive.

Prefontaine,
I just renewed my Texas License to Carry yesterday as well. I too got the email about the photo and prints. I got about the same amount of paranoid as well. So I looked up the email I got 5 years ago, and it is exactly the same one. My DL already has the 'gold star' for the RealID by the way.

Texas will let you renew for up 6 months early and up to a year after expiration. They did make it clear on the website that you cannot legally carry until you have the current issue card in hand though. I think they estimated up to 45 days. My experience has been that they are quite a bit quicker.

I was out in Kerrvile when my DL was due. Walked in, only person in the building. Spent more time shooting the shit with the gals behind the counter than getting my DL. I think they were happy to see a stranger

My DL was due in March 2020. Notice in mail said I had to come in, not doable online. Went online and was able to renew. LOL.

Carry license due soon and hope to renew online.

I was thrilled to renew online the last time. I think they will probably require glasses next time since I barely scraped through at the last required visit. Good through birthday in mid 2024 thank the lord.

My DL expires very late this year. I don't need REAL ID because I have a passport, but I'll probably go ahead and get it, anyway.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by Sr_Bull:
The “Mega Center” as a way of improving efficiency has been everything but. At least here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I could have badged my way to the front (DPS is totally supportive of LEO’s doing this), but that’s not my style. I used a day off from work to make the nice drive west out to the Mineral Wells DPS office and was in and out in 15 minutes. Drive a bit, and save a lot.

Wish I could do that. I can’t take a day off right now (this mess) as I’m mission critical at work but next time I’ll do that, same place as you.

Wouldn’t it be nice for services such as this, to open on the damn weekend, when many citizens are off work and have the time to stand in lines, etc? Just Saturday would be a God send. I did do that Mega Center cluster fuck, used tollways to rip there and rip back and was taking work calls to and from.

One more month and I can take a day, a week, or two weeks off. In my DL renewal letter they mentioned travel and Real ID being required October 2020. I have a trip planned at the end of next month which requires a flight and while I doubt it’s gonna happen (already rescheduled once) I don’t want a DL renewal jeopardizing it if I actually get to go. I couldn’t believe some of those appointment times when I scheduled. December, January, February, and I was doing this several months early! Lesson learned, shit. But I think getting your DL renewed at any time during this is going to be a cluster fuck for many of us unless like you, you can drive to a more rural office.

quote:

Originally posted by 83v45magna:
They did make it clear on the website that you cannot legally carry until you have the current issue card in hand though. I think they estimated up to 45 days. My experience has been that they are quite a bit quicker.

That’s the kicker right there. No interest in down time where I cannot legally carry, especially in these times. Licenses, Inspections, registrations, it doesn’t matter what it is, I like to get it done early and loathe being late to the dance. I will put up with an awful lot to not have things expire, at least at the state/local level.

I haven’t traveled internationally in a long damn time. Even though I have no use of it, might as well get another Passport as well. No interest in traveling overseas when I have places in America I’d rather spend my money but it’s an additional ID just in case. Damn government. It’s 2020, just let me renew my shit online like the CHL. I’ll scan, copy, whatever documents they need for proof. I’ll go get my eye doctor to certify my eyes and get a document signed. Go run my background check, whatever, and charge me the fee. I need to start praying they don’t call me for jury during this. I shutter to even think about what is going on in the court houses.

I don't know why they can't have one ID for both; under endorsements on the DL put 'concealed carry ' or something like that, save people money and from having to carry multiple IDs.

quote:

Originally posted by sjp:
I don't know why they can't have one ID for both; under endorsements on the DL put 'concealed carry ' or something like that, save people money and from having to carry multiple IDs.

That would make too much sense so the government can’t do it.