By Danny R. Johnson – Entertainment/Travel News Editor
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TSA has proposed a rule that would require fliers who don’t have a Real ID to pay up if they show up without the right credentials. Here’s what to know.
Travelers arriving at the airport without a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or another form of federally accepted identification, such as a valid U.S. passport, may soon be required to pay a fee and undergo additional security screening.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has proposed a regulation stipulating that passengers lacking Real ID credentials must pay an $18 fee if they need to verify their identity through extra screening before being permitted to fly.
This proposed rule, published in the Federal Register—the official daily publication of the U.S. government—on November 20, outlines that the fee would cover the use of a new biometric kiosk. At this station, a traveler’s photograph would be scanned and matched against government databases. Upon successful verification, TSA would issue a temporary clearance to the traveler, valid for ten days, which is typically sufficient for round-trip or multi-leg travel.
It is important to note that the fee is nonrefundable, even in cases where the kiosk cannot confirm the traveler’s identity and access to the secure area of the airport is ultimately denied.
Real ID enforcement officially began for air travel in May 2025, requiring adults traveling domestically within the United States to present either a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or another approved credential, such as a U.S. passport or military identification.
Upon implementation of the new regulation, TSA reported that approximately 94 percent of travelers were already utilizing compliant forms of identification. The agency noted that individuals lacking acceptable ID may undergo “enhanced security procedures,” but are not automatically prohibited from boarding. Since May, TSA has permitted travelers without compliant ID to fly after completing an identity verification process, which includes providing information such as name and current address to confirm identity.
According to a memo from the Federal Register, verifying identities without Real IDs takes considerable time and resources, which limits how many people TSA can serve this way. The TSA says the proposed $18 fee isn’t meant to penalize travelers without Real IDs, but instead helps cover the costs of on-the-spot identity verification. The memo states that the fee will only cover program expenses like IT infrastructure, software development, data management, security, compliance, and overall program administration. Right now, the proposal is open for public comments, so airlines, civil-liberties organizations, and individual travelers all have a chance to share their views before the TSA finalizes its decision.
After feedback is evaluated, the agency may proceed to adopt the rule as drafted or make modifications. Even if fee approval is granted, implementation will require additional steps: TSA must establish formal payment procedures, ensure officer training, and deploy biometric equipment at checkpoints. Consequently, the policy’s enactment may be delayed for several months or years.
The Real ID Act, enacted by Congress in 2005 following the events of September 11, was designed to establish more rigorous and consistent security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Prior to its passage, standards varied significantly among states, resulting in inconsistent verification practices and potential security risks.
Federal regulations now mandate a unified approach regarding issuance, identity verification, and interstate data sharing for IDs. While each state maintains specific requirements for Real ID compliance, the primary distinction between obtaining a compliant versus noncompliant license generally concerns the documentation required during the application process.
To obtain a Real ID in California, you have to schedule an appointment at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)—you can’t do it online—and bring documents that verify your identity, such as a passport or birth certificate, proof of your Social Security number like your Social Security card or a W-2, and evidence that you live in California.
Rolling out the new Real ID requirement has progressed slowly. Early on, some states resisted, saying the federal government imposed costly verification processes without enough funding. DMV offices also required significant time—sometimes years—to update their identity-checking systems, redesign licenses, train employees, and upgrade databases. In response, the federal government kept pushing back the Real ID deadline. The COVID-19 pandemic then closed DMVs and delayed major upgrades just as deadlines loomed.
When enforcement finally started this past May, the system included backup options for travelers who arrived at airports without the proper identification.
