The LA Times

Flying without a Real ID? It could cost you $18 and a trip through a new screening process

Federal Register

TSA Modernized Alternative Identity Verification User Fee

CCHFreedom

Legal Analysis Real Id Is Unconstitutional And Coercive

LeslieManookian

Trump Department of Homeland Security

Page Not Found

KATU

TSA proposes $18 fee for travelers without REAL ID or passport at airport checkpoints

Axios

Airline passengers without REAL ID face $18 fee to get through security

Forbes

No REAL ID? TSA Proposes $18 Biometric Scan Instead

Newsmax

TSA to Impose $18 Fee on Travelers Without REAL ID

Daily Voice

Passengers Without Real ID May Soon Have To Pay A Fee From TSA

Black Enterprise

TSA Wants to Include $18 Fee For Plane Travelers Without REAL ID

The Courier

TSA proposes $18 fee for travelers without REAL ID. What to know

The Hill

Flying without a REAL ID? Getting through TSA could cost you under proposed program

Travelers without a REAL ID could be charged $18 by TSA under proposed rule

GetTheDailyDirt

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration on Thursday proposed an $18 non-refundable fee for travelers who arrive at airport security checkpoints without a REAL ID or a valid passport.

USA Today

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration on Thursday proposed an $18 non-refundable fee for travelers who arrive at airport security checkpoints without a REAL ID or a valid passport.

The REAL ID requirement, mandating that travelers have compliant identification such as a REAL ID driver's license or passport to pass through airport security checkpoints, officially went into effect May 7.

FOX News

The REAL ID requirement, mandating that travelers have compliant identification such as a REAL ID driver's license or passport to pass through airport security checkpoints, officially went into effect May 7.

The proposed fee would fund a modernized alternative identity verification program using biometric technology and biographic information to verify travelers' identities when they lack acceptable identification documents.

The proposed fee would fund a modernized alternative identity verification program using biometric technology and biographic information to verify travelers' identities when they lack acceptable identification documents.

Travelers who pay the $18 fee will receive access to airport secure areas for 10 days, provided they can successfully verify their identity each time during that period, though access is not guaranteed.

Travelers who pay the $18 fee will receive access to airport secure areas for 10 days, provided they can successfully verify their identity each time during that period, though access is not guaranteed.

The new system aims to replace the current alternative identity verification process, which TSA described as time and resource-intensive, by leveraging technology to expand program capacity.

The new system aims to replace the current alternative identity verification process, which TSA described as time and resource-intensive, by leveraging technology to expand program capacity.

Approximately 94% of Americans currently have REAL ID-compliant identification. According to the TSA, most domestic passengers already use compliant IDs at security checkpoints nationwide.

Approximately 94% of Americans currently have REAL ID-compliant identification. According to the TSA, most domestic passengers already use compliant IDs at security checkpoints nationwide.

The LA Times #

Federal Register #

CCHFreedom #

Trump Department of Homeland Security #

KATU #

Axios #

Forbes #1520

Newsmax #

Daily Voice #

Black Enterprise #

The Courier #

The Hill #

CNN #

The Transportation Security Administration proposed an $18 non-refundable fee for travelers who arrive at airport security checkpoints without a REAL ID or valid passport, according to a notice published November 20.

USA Today #2474

The Transportation Security Administration proposed an $18 non-refundable fee for travelers who arrive at airport security checkpoints without a REAL ID or valid passport, according to a notice published November 20.

The REAL ID requirement officially went into effect May 7, 2025, mandating that travelers have compliant identification such as a REAL ID driver's license or passport to pass through airport security checkpoints.

FOX News #2214

The REAL ID requirement officially went into effect May 7, 2025, mandating that travelers have compliant identification such as a REAL ID driver's license or passport to pass through airport security checkpoints.

Travelers who pay the $18 fee would receive access to airport secure areas for 10 days, provided they can successfully verify their identity for each use during that period, though access is not guaranteed.

Travelers who pay the $18 fee would receive access to airport secure areas for 10 days, provided they can successfully verify their identity for each use during that period, though access is not guaranteed.

The new system aims to replace the current alternative identity verification process, which TSA described as time and resource intensive, by leveraging technology to significantly expand program capacity.

The new system aims to replace the current alternative identity verification process, which TSA described as time and resource intensive, by leveraging technology to significantly expand program capacity.

Approximately 94% of Americans currently have REAL ID-compliant identification, with TSA noting that most domestic passengers already use compliant IDs at security checkpoints nationwide.

Approximately 94% of Americans currently have REAL ID-compliant identification, with TSA noting that most domestic passengers already use compliant IDs at security checkpoints nationwide.

The TSA's new $18 fee for travelers without REAL ID makes perfect sense after decades of delays and warnings. Americans have had over 20 years to get compliant identification, and this reasonable penalty finally incentivizes proper compliance while funding necessary security improvements. The modernized system provides a helpful backup option for forgetful travelers who would otherwise miss flights entirely.

The TSA's new $18 fee for travelers without REAL ID makes perfect sense after decades of delays and warnings. Americans have had over 20 years to get compliant identification, and this reasonable penalty finally incentivizes proper compliance while funding necessary security improvements. The modernized system provides a helpful backup option for forgetful travelers who would otherwise miss flights entirely.

This new $18 TSA fee is just another money grab that punishes travelers during already expensive holiday seasons when 82 million Americans are traveling. The system doesn't even guarantee airport access after paying, making it a scam that charges fees without delivering results. Adding more costs to $700 average flight tickets shows complete disregard for struggling families.

This new $18 TSA fee is just another money grab that punishes travelers during already expensive holiday seasons when 82 million Americans are traveling. The system doesn't even guarantee airport access after paying, making it a scam that charges fees without delivering results. Adding more costs to $700 average flight tickets shows complete disregard for struggling families.

New York Post

New York Post #2400

New TSA policy charges passengers $18 that don’t have acceptable IDs at checkpoints

TSA Proposes $18 Fee for Travelers Without REAL ID

Air travel

Safety

United States of America

Charging $18 just because someone lacks a REAL ID feels punitive and unfair. This is an outrageous cash grab, slapping low-income and rural travelers with extra costs for a federal mandate delayed for decades due to bureaucratic failures. Already facing soaring ticket prices and DMV hassles, families shouldn't have to pay to exercise basic air travel rights. It exacerbates inequality, turning security into a paywall and ignoring that passports remain an option only for the privileged. TSA is essentially monetizing identity verification instead of improving access.

Charging $18 just because someone lacks a REAL ID feels punitive and unfair. This is an outrageous cash grab, slapping low-income and rural travelers with extra costs for a federal mandate delayed for decades due to bureaucratic failures. Already facing soaring ticket prices and DMV hassles, families shouldn't have to pay to exercise basic air travel rights. It exacerbates inequality, turning security into a paywall and ignoring that passports remain an option only for the privileged. TSA is essentially monetizing identity verification instead of improving access.

The TSA's new $18 fee for travelers without a REAL ID makes perfect sense after decades of delays and warnings. Americans have had over 20 years to get compliant identification, and this reasonable penalty finally incentivizes proper compliance and funds necessary security improvements. The modernized system provides a helpful backup option for forgetful travelers who would otherwise miss flights entirely. It's a fair incentive for responsibility, covers costs, reduces delays for everyone, and bolsters post-9/11 security without banning travel outright.

The TSA's new $18 fee for travelers without a REAL ID makes perfect sense after decades of delays and warnings. Americans have had over 20 years to get compliant identification, and this reasonable penalty finally incentivizes proper compliance and funds necessary security improvements. The modernized system provides a helpful backup option for forgetful travelers who would otherwise miss flights entirely. It's a fair incentive for responsibility, covers costs, reduces delays for everyone, and bolsters post-9/11 security without banning travel outright.

TSA Proposes $18 Fee for Travelers Without REAL ID

TSA Proposes $18 Fee for Travelers Without REAL ID

The Spin

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

TSA Proposes $18 Fee for Travelers Without REAL ID

TSA Proposes $18 Fee for Travelers Without REAL ID

The Spin

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters