Flying without a Real ID? That will soon result in a $45 fee, says TSA.

The Transportation Security Administration announced on Monday that airline passengers who do not present a Real ID or a verified passport will be required to pay a $45 fee beginning February 1.

Verifying identity is crucial for the safety of all travelers, as it helps prevent terrorists, criminals, and unauthorized individuals from accessing airplanes and other domestic transportation systems, including rail, stated Adam Stahl, a senior TSA official, while outlining the new measure.

This initiative represents the next phase of TSA efforts to motivate passengers to comply with stricter identity verification standards, which were implemented earlier this year following nearly two decades of delays.

Last month, the TSA proposed a rule that would charge $18 for travelers using alternative forms of identification to offset the government-incurred costs of the additional screening required in such cases. According to a notice in the Federal Register, The current alternative identity verification process is time and resource intensive, limiting the number of individuals for whom TSA can provide the service.

The agency later decided to raise the fee to $45 after determining that the actual costs of these extra screenings were higher than initially estimated. Passengers without approved identificationincluding a valid passport, tribal ID, or certain other government-issued IDsmust also register through an online system called TSA Confirm.ID.

The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the September 11 attacks, established federal standards for state-issued drivers licenses and other forms of identification. Although the law originally required enforcement in 2008, implementation was delayed multiple times, and the rules finally took effect in May, nearly 20 years after the laws passage.

At present, travelers without a Real ID face no penalties beyond possible delays for additional security checks. TSA officials note that this policy will impact only a small fraction of airline passengers, as 94% already carry a Real ID or other approved form of identification.

We must make certain that every passenger is who they claim to be, Stahl emphasized. This fee ensures that the cost of verifying an insufficient ID falls on the traveler rather than taxpayers.

All U.S. states and territories currently issue Real-ID-compliant drivers licenses, but older IDs may not meet the updated federal requirements. TSA advises anyone unsure about their licenses compliance to contact their state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Author: Sophia Brooks