If you still haven’t obtained a Real ID, but plan to fly in the near future, you’ll have to pay a hefty $45 fee.
The Transportation Security Administration began charging fees Feb. 1 to travelers who arrive at airport security without a valid real ID, such as an enhanced driver’s license or passport. States began issuing Real ID-compliant licenses in 2016, but enforcement of the new requirements didn’t begin until May 2025.
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That’s when Real IDs became mandatory at U.S. airports, although the TSA still offers other ways to verify a traveler’s identity using additional security measures. The new $45 fee is intended to cover this additional work.
“This modernized, technology-enabled program will provide alternative methods of identity verification beyond what TSA currently offers and will reduce the time required to verify identities using the existing method,” the TSA administration said in the proposal. “The current alternative identity verification process requires significant time and resources, which limits the number of people for whom TSA can provide this service.”
“TSA is working with stakeholders and partners to ensure both the security and efficiency of our checkpoints,” a TSA representative told CNET. “Additional guidance will be announced in the coming days.”
How would the fees work?
Under the proposal, the TSA would not refund the $45 fee if someone failed the security check and did not pass after paying.
However, if successful, the traveler could continue traveling for 10 days without Real ID using a biometric kiosk, without having to pay the fee repeatedly.
Technology companies, including Apple, have worked to offer solutions that make mobile identification easier. The company recently added a feature that allows users to add passport to Apple Wallet. Some states also offer options for use your phone as a substitute for your driving license.
TSA is unlikely to implement these fees before holiday season This year. Ensure having a real, user-friendly form of identification is a good idea if you travel by plane in the future, regardless of the associated costs.
