U.S. air travelers who show up to airports without a REAL ID will soon face a $45 charge, the Transportation Security Administration announced Monday — a significant policy shift meant to push nationwide compliance before the summer travel season.
The REAL ID requirement, which officially took effect in May, has so far allowed non-compliant passengers to undergo additional screening rather than face penalties. That grace period ends on Feb. 1, when the TSA will begin charging the nonrefundable fee for anyone age 18 or older flying domestically without a REAL ID or another approved form of identification.
Why the Fee Is Being Implemented
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — the federal agency overseeing REAL ID regulations — more than 94% of travelers are already compliant. Officials say the new fee aims to encourage the remaining passengers to upgrade their license or ID before reaching the airport.
REAL ID cards, marked with a star symbol, were created after the Sept. 11 attacks as part of a nationwide effort to strengthen identity verification standards. Full adoption was originally planned for 2008 but faced multiple delays over the past 17 years.
What Happens if You Don’t Have a REAL ID
Beginning in February, passengers who lack a REAL ID but carry no other acceptable documentation will need to verify their identity through TSA’s Confirm.ID system — a process that now requires the $45 fee.
Key details include:
- Fee is nonrefundable, even if identity cannot be verified.
- Verification does not guarantee approval; some passengers may still be denied travel.
- When approved, the identity verification is valid for a 10-day travel window.
- The fee may be paid online before arriving at the airport or upon arrival, though TSA warns verification steps can take up to 30 minutes.
Why the Fee Increased
The TSA previously proposed an $18 charge for the alternative screening program but increased it after determining operational and staffing costs were “significantly higher than expected.”
Travelers may avoid the new fee entirely by ensuring they have an approved ID. Acceptable alternatives include:
- Passports
- Military IDs
- Permanent resident cards
- Tribal-nation-issued photo IDs
- Digital IDs stored in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet — now accepted at more than 250 U.S. airports
More information about REAL ID documentation can be found on the official DMV resource: USA.gov REAL ID Guide.
