TSA Is Rolling Out A Major Change In February: Here is what we know
Published by RawNews1st
If you’re planning on flying the friendly skies soon, be prepared with the right documents or to pay up. Starting February 1, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is requiring a $45 fee for anyone planning to board without a Real ID or one of the approved forms of identification—and, no, that does not include your regular old driver’s license.
Federal REAL ID requirements were originally introduced for domestic air travelers in May 2025. However, until now, anyone who didn’t have a REAL ID license or some other acceptable form of identification, like a passport, was still allowed to go through airport security, albeit with additional screening. As of February 1, though, every person 18 or older attempting to board a domestic flight without a REAL ID will have to dole out the $45 fee – or won’t be allowed through TSA screening to board their flight.
While TSA says that “more than 94% of passengers already use their REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification,” if you’re one of those people who haven’t updated their license or doesn’t bring a passport to fly to Orlando or San Antonio, be prepared to pay.
Per the TSA, anyone without REAL ID, will have to pay a $45 fee for a “TSA ConfirmID process for identity verification upon TSA check-in and prior to entering the security line.” What that process looks like will depend on the airport. The main takeaway from this is that the government really wants you to get a REAL ID, so head to your local DMV, because your regular driver’s license won’t cut it, or be prepared to pay up.
