TSA charges $45 fee for traveling without REAL ID
Starting February 1, U.S. air travelers will pay a fee if they do not have a REAL ID or other acceptable identification.
More than 45 million travelers were screened by the Transportation Security Administration this holiday season, and many may have learned firsthand what a REAL ID is and isn’t.
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005 and not enacted until May 7, 2025, required individuals 18 years of age or older to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state-issued identification card to pass through a TSA checkpoint, access certain facilities, and generally undergo identity verification.
“REAL ID establishes security standards for the issuance and production of licenses and prohibits federal agencies from accepting driver’s licenses or identification documents that do not comply with certain official purposes,” the Department of Homeland Security told USA TODAY in a statement. “Secure driver licenses and identification documents are a critical element of the national security framework, as they prevent fraud and terrorism and create more effective safety standards.”
Older ID cards and driver’s licenses without the REAL ID compliance mark (those with a gold or black star (or star mark in states like California) at the top of the card) are no longer accepted by federal agencies. However, certain alternative forms of identification, such as passports and DHS Trusted Traveler cards, are also REAL-ID compliant.
REAL ID-compliant cards have been required for less than a year. Many people may find it difficult to understand how these cards differ from commonly accepted alternatives. Please note that these cards cannot be used interchangeably.
Here’s what you need to know about REAL ID.
Can I travel without a REAL ID and use my passport instead?
Yes, a valid passport issued by a U.S. or foreign government can be used as identification for boarding your flight.
According to the TSA, other types of ID valid at airports are:
- State-issued enhanced driver’s license or enhanced ID
- us passport card
- Homeland Security-trusted traveler cards (such as Global Entry)
- permanent resident card
- border crossing card
- Photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation/Indian tribe
- U.S. Department of Defense ID (including those issued to dependents)
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
- US Merchant Mariner Certification
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- Transportation Worker Identification Certificate (TWIC)
- HSPD-12 PIV Card
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
If you arrive at the airport without any of these forms of identification, you may be subject to additional screening when boarding your flight and will pay a $45 fee starting February 1st.
Can REAL ID be used to verify legal status?
No, while a REAL ID can verify your identity, it does not establish legal status like a passport. Noncitizens must carry immigration documents as required by the Immigration and Nationality Act. “REAL ID is not an immigration document. It makes it harder to forge an ID and deters criminals and terrorists,” DHS said.
