Nan and I are moving to TX and have questions

[BigD]

As many of you already know, due to my employers "consolidation plan", I am being forced to move to TX for the last 2 1/2 years prior to retirement. Nan and I have leased a new house in McKinney (10 minutes from work), and will actually make the move during the long 4th of July period.

I have some questions about TX that I hope some of you can help us with:

It appears that we can get a TX drivers licenses by going to the TX ??? and paying for new ones. It appears that we will not have to take written or driving tests, as both of us have current valid licenses. Where do we go to get the new licenses? What proof of residency is required?
I assume that I will need to have the vehicles inspected prior to getting Texas plates. What do the inspections consist of...just reading the DTC codes? I have EGR delete, but can clear codes with my Xcal 2. If we decide to bring Nan's car to TX, it is a 19 year old BMW M3. What testing is required for her car. It has never been inspected before.
After we have our TX DLs, we will want to get carry permits. I previously had a permit in MN (~12 years ago), and was not required to have training due to 8 years military service. It appearsd that an "instructor" must sign off on the applications. Is there an "instructor" that will sign our applications without a lot of hassle?
We will need a good source for our screened items and also our embroidered merchandise. Any leads would be appreciated. We prefer a place in the area surrounding McKinney/Plano/Allen.

Thanks, and see you at LightningFest 4!

...Dwight...
NLOC President

[wesman]

As many of you already know, due to my employers "consolodation plan", I am being forced to move to TX for the last 2 1/2 years prior to retirement. Nan and I have leased a new house in McKinney (10 minutes from work), and will actually make the move during the long 4th of July period.

I have some questions about TX that I hope some of you can help us with:
It appears that we can get a TX drivers licenses by going to the TX ??? and paying for new ones. It appears that we will not have to take written or driving tests, as both of us have current valid licenses. Where do we go to get the new licenses? What proof of residency is required?
I assume that I will need to have the vehicles inspected prior to getting Texas plates. What do the inspections consist of...just reading the DTC codes? I have EGR delete, but can clear codes with my Xcal 2. If we decide to bring Nan's car to TX, it is a 19 year old BMW M3. What testing is required for her car. It has never been inspected before.
After we have our TX DLs, we will want to get carry permits. I previously had a permit in MN (~12 years ago), and was not required to have training due to 8 years military service. It appearsd that an "instructor" must sign off on the applications. Is there an "instructor" that will sign our applications without a lot of hassle?
We will need a good source for our screened items and also our embroidered merchandise. Any leads would be appreciated. We prefer a place in the area surrounding McKinney/Plano/Allen.Thanks, and see you at LightningFest 4!

...Dwight...

1. You go to the DMV. You shouldn't have to take a written test. They'll likley require something showing your name w/ address.(light bill,phone bill etc)

2. Your truck will just need to be hooked up to the computer and run for codes. If you don't have a SES you'll pass. They also do a visual, but are very liberal on it.

Nans car will need to be hooked up to the dyno and go through the full emissions test.

3. You will have to sit through a class and take a test. Texas doesn't recognize military service unless you are retired etc. You still have to go through the class, shoot and take the written test.

4. No idea what you're talking about

Welcome to Texas! :banana:

--wes

[mustgofaster]

Getting your DL is easy. When I moved here a couple of years ago, I just gave them my old FL drivers license, (which they kept & destroyed) Told them my new address, paid $18.00 (I think) & smiled for the camera.

As mentioned before, they'll just read codes from your truck, but her car will have to go on a Dyno. I wouldn't worry about it too much, my Gen1 L passes easy with nearly 200K on the clock. They also do a safety inspection, so if you have window tint that is too dark or something like that, they can fail you.

I don't know much on the permit.

For the screening, I don't know of anyplace that far north, but if you don't get much of a response here, try posting on http://www.dfwstangs.net .

Welcome to Texas.. There's a lot of good people around here.

[SILVER2000SVT]

Welcome to TX.

The only quirky thing is there is an exact order you have to do everything in here in TX. I believe it's that you have to get your proof of residency, DL, insurance, inspection, and then registration. It's been a while for me and I can't remember if that's the right order or not, but I do remember it being frustrating at the time going to places only to have them tell me I have to do something else.

[Moonshine]

Answers to almost all of your questions http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ .

[wesman]

Welcome to TX.

The only quirky thing is there is an exact order you have to do everything in here in TX. I believe it's that you have to get your proof of residency, DL, insurance, inspection, and then registration. It's been a while for me and I can't remember if that's the right order or not, but I do remember it being frustrating at the time going to places only to have them tell me I have to do something else.

Good call, you must have it inspected before they will register it. At least when I bought a car out of state and brought it back that was the rule.

--wes

[99WhiteBeast]

I can provide you a few places for item#4. Give me some time and I'll get some contact info together for you.

[WA 2 FST]

Dwight,

For your inspections, 1) go to Bob Tomes Ford (on Hwy 75) in McKinney. 2) Go to the Quick Service department, which is next to the Used Cars. 3) Ask for David Pope (service advisor). 4) Tell him you know me (Wes Tarbox). 5) Truck passes emissions and you get your sticker. :)

Seriously, I've known David for 12+ years, and used to race with him. I've also known several of the service techs there for over 10 years. Good guys, and they will not give you any grief about the EGR delete. One of the service guys has a '99 L himself.

[Tex Arcana]

Dwight,

For your inspections, 1) go to Bob Tomes Ford (on Hwy 75) in McKinney. 2) Go to the Quick Service department, which is next to the Used Cars. 3) Ask for David Pope (service advisor). 4) Tell him you know me (Wes Tarbox). 5) Truck passes emissions and you get your sticker. :)

Seriously, I've known David for 12+ years, and used to race with him. I've also known several of the service techs there for over 10 years. Good guys, and they will not give you any grief about the EGR delete. One of the service guys has a '99 L himself.

What he said about David, I've used him a couple of times, and he never steered me wrong. And if you need a new Ford, see Butch Milican in the Internet Sales Dept, tell him I sent ya, and he'll fix ya up. :tu:

As for your tshirt bidness, my wife has a very good book customer named Bruce (I forget his last name), who has just such a business he runs out of his home. He's an ex-TI machinist who got caught in the Great Elderly Layoff of the early aughts, and he's very reliable, and he lives in Allen. Shoot me a PM and I'll hook you up.

What part of McKinney are you renting in? I'm over in the northwest part. :tu: When my workshop is done, you can bring yer L over for WWFB sessions. :beer:

Welcome to Texas!

[tliss]

Very cool that you're moving here! I don't have any real insight into your questions other than you have a little time after you move in before you have to have all of that done, so don't stress over it in the beginning.

Whereabouts are you going to be living in McKinney? Looks like we are going to be neighbors! I'm a little further north than Tex...

Tom

[PoorSvtman]

make sure when you get your inspection done you have to get whats called a green sheet to get your car registered in texas...
i did inspections for 3 years up until maybe 8 months ago..

pm with any inspection ?s or for that matter... I also work for txdot so if you need any info i could probly find it out

[99WhiteBeast]

I can provide you a few places for item#4. Give me some time and I'll get some contact info together for you.

Dwight,
Here are a few folks located in the Arlington area that provide top notch service and offer the full line of services- screen printing, embroidery, decals, signage, and promotional products.

1. Serragraphics (serragraphics@sbcglobaldotnet) 817-795-0536 Contact: Hugo
Current supplier of the Talon decal

2. http://imprintavenue.com/ Jeff and Robin C. (owners) are former co-workers. Tell them Steve White sent you.

[PoorSvtman]

add synthetic designs to that list.... they have been around for ever and do all my stuff...

[sandpiperx]

I moved here in Jan.06 from Clearwater,Forida and Texas would not let me get a drivers licence until my 4 vehicles were registered. Or at least one of them. So that would be your first step when you get a address. from all the posts on this thread I think you have most all the info you need. There was one form that Dps wanted filled out before you come in to register you vehicles. I printed it online from their site. I think it was form 130u. but you can call them to verify. This is my first post here and you people offer some great info and I would love to meet some of you one day. Gen2L 2001 mild mods up here in Aubrey and lost in Texas. Life is good. mp.