A new $45 fee for travelers without Real ID starts Feb. 1. Here's what to know.

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

Updated on: January 30, 2026 / 1:39 PM EST / CBS News


Travelers who don't yet have a Real ID could face a new $45 fee starting Feb. 1, when the Transportation Security Administration will begin imposing the additional charge on passengers without the enhanced identification to help offset the cost of extra screening.

Rather than turning travelers away at airport checkpoints, TSA plans to subject passengers without compliant identification — such as a Real ID or passport — to additional identity screening. The program, called ConfirmID, asks passengers without Real IDs to answer a series of questions about themselves to verify their identity.

A Real ID is a federally compliant state driver's license, learner's permit or nondriver ID card, identified by a black or gold star in the upper right corner. Earlier this month, the TSA said that passengers who don't have Real IDs should plan ahead to avoid delays at airports starting Sunday, when the agency rolls out its new ConfirmID program.

"TSA ConfirmID will be an option for travelers that do not bring a Real ID or other acceptable form of ID to the TSA checkpoint and still want to fly," senior official performing the duties of deputy administrator for TSA Adam Stahl said in a Jan. 15 statement. The TSA is still encouraging all flyers to obtain Real IDs, describing the fee as a fallback option. "To avoid delays or missed flights, all travelers should obtain a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification before heading to the airport," Stahl said.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tsa-45-dollar-fee-travelers-without-real-id-feb-1/

[Initech]

1. And they had to make it cost $45 because... oh fuck it.

God damn him and his need to be the main character of everything. :argh

[usonian]

2. At least it wasn't $45.47.

or $86.47

[Igel]

10. Or $67.67. n/t

[FakeNoose]

3. What's the cost of a US Passport now?

I renewed mine a few years ago and I think I paid about $100. But the cost is quite a bit higher when you pay a "rush" fee and I believe I skipped that. It's probably worth it to invest in a passport, am I right?

[Initech]

6. I'm guessing Trump and Duffy will make it cost $45.

[FakeNoose]

7. I doubt the price would ever go down...

US Passports were something like $100 about 5 years. And that didn't include the "rush" fee.

[reACTIONary]

8. If you already have real ID, you don't need the passport, but...

... when my state went to real id, I got my passport renewed and that made the real ID burden a bit easier. So I have both.

[Bayard]

4. How about a signed permission slip from your Mom?

Okay, what's it take to get a star on your driver's license?

[SpankMe]

5. Only a matter of time before he puts his pic on passports

Also, I'm not sure what I think about a $45 fee for enhanced screening that will amount to being asked a few questions. But, I'm not sympathetic to people who haven't updated to RealID's.

The RealID act was passed in 2005, so we're in our 21st year since its passage. This has been more than enough time for states to implement the requirements and people to upgrade during recent license renewals. If you have a valid passport (which is RealID compliant) but no RealID driver's license, then you're a real asshole. Just sayin'.

[reACTIONary]

9. I don't think you can get a real ID unless...

... your state supports it. And if the state moves to real id, it isn't optional, is it? Is it discretionary in some states?

[Igel]

11. I'm pretty sure all states/etc. issue them.

The reason that the 20+ year-old law, set to be implemented in full long, long ago, keeps getting postponed is because some people might not be able to afford the $ to secure the forms of identification required for that gold star--in some cases, the BC was never issued (but since that argument's made, 20+ years of people born long ago have passed to the great sub-grass) or they lack the skills to figure out how to get their BC.

But it's been the law of the land, in some held-in-abeyance-by-executive-fiat, for many a year. Another one of those "we're a nation of laws" counterexamples.

(When it was instituted, I just went to the file my father had given me when I left home. BC. Baptism certificate. Original SS card. Other things. Not because they were hard to get--just because he made sure that they were always protected.)

[reACTIONary]

12. We had an unusual situation....

... my spouse does not have what would be considered a bc here in the US. She was born in ROC, and instead of a bc they issue a family registration certificate. So the entire family is on one peice of paper with some ID numbers, and it is all in Chinese.

I didn't look forward to showing up at the DMV with that.

Unfortunately, our passports had expired. Fortunately you can renew your passport with your expired passport - no bc required. So we got the passports renewed then used them for the real ID.