Some Travelers Without Real ID Could Soon Pay For TSA Screening

The Real I.D. law that went into effect in May 2025 is pretty simple. Travelers need to present a valid, real form of identification to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to proceed to their gate. Whether that be their state issues driver's license or a passport, it has become the new requirement at the nation's airports. Yet, for whatever the reasons might be, either due to a license being expired or a lost passport, some six percent of travelers still lack a real I.D.

Soon too, they could be paying a $45 fee for their TSA screening. The Department of Homeland Security is instituting the charges beginning February 1st. That means in less than one week, if you do not have a real I.D. to present to TSA, you could be paying to make it to your flight.

Zach Wichter of USA Today says this fee would put you into a confirmation process, so TSA can identify you ahead of time.

"It allows TSA to verify your identity before you get to the airport, which will smooth your ability to go through the TSA checkpoint," he says.

It seems high that six percent of people would not have that valid form of I.D. but as mentioned, it could be a variety of factors. License lost in the mail, an expired passport, failure to renew your license, it could be anything. But in the new world, it is more important to have that stuff updates now more than ever.

This method, while a nuisance, will at least help you get to your destination.

"Rather than getting to the airport, trying to have TSA agents confirm your identification...that will put you at a higher risk of not boarding," says Wichter.

The best bet, obviously, is to have the forms of I.D. ready to go and present to TSA. But if you are a straggler in getting the necessary documents updated, there is a catch to this too.

This is not just some one-time fee where you are in the system for good. You could be stuck paying this every time you need to board.

"The identity verification is only valid for ten days from the time you pay the fee," Wichter says. "So, if you do not have a compliant I.D. to present at TSA, you are probably going to have to keep doing this every time you fly."

So, as the new year gets rolling, it is the best time to make sure all your identification documents are up to date and ready to go. Because no one wants to pay more than they already have to in order to travel.