What to know about the new TSA Real ID fee and when it starts

The TSA will implement a $45 fee for domestic air travelers lacking a Real ID, starting February 1, 2026. This fee is a significant increase from previous announcements regarding the penalty. It allows non-compliant travelers to bypass the Real ID requirement for a 10-day period. The $45 covers an extra biometric screening, requiring travelers to go through an additional process which takes between 10 to 30 minutes. This fee can be paid online or in person before security, but it is solely effective for ten days at a time. The fee will cover the technology and software needed for this security measure. The fee's long-term existence hinges on compliance rates among travelers. Approximately 6% of travelers are expected to utilize this option, while the other 94% already have the required identification. Without the collected data, travelers will not be cleared to go through security. Passports continue to be accepted as a valid form of identification for domestic flights.