U.S. Air Travelers Without REAL ID to Face $45 Fee Starting in February

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will impose a $45 fee on domestic air travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card. This new charge begins in February. Travelers must present a REAL ID or an alternative approved document, like a passport, at airport security. Those using a non-compliant standard license will be charged the fee to undergo a more detailed identity verification process. The Department of Homeland Security reports that 94% of airline passengers already carry the required identification. The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005, establishes stricter security standards for state-issued IDs. The $45 fee aims to encourage the remaining travelers to upgrade their identification. The long-standing deadline for all air travelers to carry a REAL ID is May 7, 2025.