It varies a lot from state to state. In Massachusetts, the process is very slow, and we have to submit even our limited license re-applications about 5 months in advance to guarantee they will get processed! And that is a three page application! The full license is, of course, a huge and expensive ordeal.
The self-query is no big deal. If you submit on-line, you should get the response in less than a month. Just make sure you don't open the envelope, as you will likely then have to re-request the self-query. I know at least 3 people who have done this. The envelope is not particularly well-marked.
