I've had my PAL for about 1.5 years now. I know I should have gotten both my RPAL and PAL together, but there was a mix up when I went to get my PAL and I had to challenge the test vs take the course and do the test, I didn't feel comfortable doing the RPAL test too. So now I want to get my RPAL. My question is; if I do my RPAL test and then submit my paperwork, will my PAL reset in a sense and be good for another 5 years, or will it still expire in 3.5 years like it will now? I hate to go through all the paperwork and stuff and then in 3.5 year have to redo it all again for renewal.
Question about getting my RPAL
- Thread starter FLYBYU44
- Start date
I'm not sure exactly what your asking but I'll attempt to answer, lol. Your PAL will receive the R "credential" (so to speak) when you pass the exam and expire as an RPAL in 3.5 years. You'll have to do the renewal paperwork no matter what choice you make, so I'm not sure why it matters.
Yes, your firearms licence will still expire on the date displayed on your PAL. I got my RPAL almost a year after I got my PAL and I'll still have to renew BOTH in four years. I highly recommend doing the PAL and RPAL together whenever possible for simplicity.
So I will have to fill out the whole application for my RPAL and also pay my money, and then do it all over again in 3.5 years? That is what I was wondering. You'd think if I was applying for my RPAL it is like renewing my whole PAL and I would be good for five years. Guess it doesn't need to make sense.
This is correct. There is only 1 firearms license; a PAL. A basic PAL is non-restricted only. You add the "R" to your existing license. Like your drivers license - you have a "G", then can add an "M" to drive a Motorcycle. It's still one license. You're going to be talking about 3 years of enjoying restricted, instead of waiting, for $80.
I was in pretty much the same boat/timeline as you.
My PAL was to expire in 2018. I challenged the RPAL test, passed and sent away my application in January. Before sending it away though, I called to see if I was eligible for a "discount" as I had only had my PAL for so long; and indeed I was. Instead of paying $80 for my RPAL application, the fee to send in was $40.
3 months later, my RPAL has been issued (Couple weeks ago) and my new card states an expiry of 2020 now.
Hope that answers your question, and saves you some money too!
My PAL was to expire in 2018. I challenged the RPAL test, passed and sent away my application in January. Before sending it away though, I called to see if I was eligible for a "discount" as I had only had my PAL for so long; and indeed I was. Instead of paying $80 for my RPAL application, the fee to send in was $40.
3 months later, my RPAL has been issued (Couple weeks ago) and my new card states an expiry of 2020 now.
Hope that answers your question, and saves you some money too!
That's awesome, thanks for the tip. Do you have to fill out a new application with new photo and references? Or do they use your PAL application and just add the restricted on?
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New application (complete with references) and new photo unfortunately
