New TSA Security Fee Targets Travelers Without Real ID or Passport

Starting February 1, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will charge a new fee. Travelers who do not have a Real ID, passport, or other approved identification must pay $45 to pass through airport security. A Real ID is a special driver's license or state ID card. It meets stricter federal security standards. Many states now issue them. The fee is intended to cover the extra time and resources required for manual identity verification. Standard TSA security screening is included in the price of an airline ticket. Travelers can avoid the charge by presenting an accepted form of ID. These include a U.S. passport, a Real ID-compliant license, or a Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler card.