The countdown to February 1, 2026, signals a major change for U.S. air travelers. Starting that day, the Transportation Security Administration will charge $45 to anyone arriving at airport security without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or other federally approved ID. This final enforcement phase caps a 20-year rollout, shifting costs from taxpayers to passengers.
Deputy TSA administrator Adam Stahl emphasized, “This fee ensures the cost to cover verification of an insufficient ID will come from the traveler, not the taxpayer.” The deadline affects anyone flying domestically without proper identification. Let’s look into this deeper to understand how Confirm.ID, DMV readiness, and digital solutions will shape travel from February onward.
A Two-Decade-Long Delay
The REAL ID Act became law on May 11, 2005, following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission to standardize state identification. Full enforcement has been repeatedly delayed: original deadlines of 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2020 were pushed back, with COVID-19 causing further extensions to October 2021 and May 3, 2023, per Department of Homeland Security records.
The final enforcement phase began May 7, 2025, under President Trump with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem overseeing the transition. The grace period ends February 1, 2026, marking the start of $45 fees for those without compliant credentials. After two decades of delays, travelers must act now or risk costly penalties at checkpoints.
How Confirm.ID Works
TSA’s Confirm.ID program modernizes identity verification, replacing manual checks with biometric and biographic screening. Federal Register guidance confirms the $45 fee covers a 10-day travel window, not a single flight. Processes include facial recognition, head movement analysis, and database cross-checking. Apple Wallet Digital ID, launched in November 2025, is now accepted at 250+ airports, offering travelers a digital compliance option.
Prepaying online through pay.gov can reduce wait times, though TSA estimates airport processing may still add 10 to 30 minutes. With 94% of travelers already compliant, the remaining 6% could generate millions in revenue, highlighting both the financial and operational stakes of the new system.
Who Faces the Fee
Any adult traveler 18 or older without a REAL ID, passport, or other federally approved identification will be charged. Children traveling with guardians are exempt, but unaccompanied minors require some form of ID. Licenses lacking the compliance star trigger the fee, requiring verification. States vary in compliance: CBS News data from April 2025 shows Texas leads at 98%, while New Jersey has only 17%. At least 16 states remain below 50% compliance, creating uneven preparedness nationwide. Travelers without compliant identification risk $45 charges per 10-day travel window, emphasizing the need for planning before February 1.
DMV Lines and Digital Solutions
DMVs nationwide are bracing for last-minute demand. North Carolina issued over 5 million REAL IDs but still sees fluctuating wait times. Illinois opened a downtown “supercenter” processing 1,500 applications daily to boost compliance from 35% in early 2025. Options like Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, U.S. passports, Global Entry, and Apple Wallet Digital IDs provide alternatives. TSA encourages travelers to prepay fees to minimize delays. While technology offers relief, long lines and administrative bottlenecks remain a concern, especially in smaller states or airports. Travelers are advised to confirm their ID status online and act promptly to avoid costly surprises.
Financial Stakes and Traveler Risks
Even a small percentage of non-compliant travelers could generate millions. With 876 million passengers processed in 2024, just 1% lacking valid ID represents roughly 8.76 million $45 transactions—about $394 million annually. Families of four could face $180 in fees if none have compliant identification. Paying the fee does not guarantee flight access; TSA can deny boarding if verification fails. Operational stress is expected at hubs and smaller airports alike, particularly during peak travel seasons. Travelers must plan ahead, whether upgrading IDs, prepaying Confirm.ID, or carrying passports to avoid missed flights and financial losses.
The $45 fee is designed as cost-recovery, but advocates warn it could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. MAP research shows 12% of U.S. adults—nearly 30 million people—lack driver’s licenses, with even higher gaps among Black, older, and transgender communities. Rural populations and low-income travelers face added barriers from distance to DMVs and documentation requirements. Airlines and TSA have launched awareness campaigns, but confusion is likely during the initial rollout. The policy underscores the tension between security, technology, and accessibility, forcing travelers to adapt quickly or face financial and logistical challenges at the airport.
Preparing for Smooth Travel
With only 15 days until February 1, travelers must check their ID status. Compliant REAL IDs, U.S. passports, Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, and Apple Wallet Digital IDs are valid options. Prepaying the Confirm.ID fee through pay.gov can save time but may still require additional checkpoint processing. Families traveling with children should confirm airline-specific rules for minors. The new system rewards preparedness: a small symbol on your ID or a verified digital credential could prevent delays, fees, or missed flights, highlighting how a two-decade-old law finally intersects with modern air travel realities.
Sources:
TSA Confirm.ID User Fee. Federal Register, December 3, 2025
TSA Modernized Alternative Identity Verification User Fee. Federal Register, November 20, 2025
World Air Transport Statistics Report 2024. International Air Transport Association (IATA), August 3, 2025
Apple Introduces Digital ID – In Apple Wallet. Apple Newsroom, November 11, 2025
Identity Documents & Transgender People: How Barriers to ID Impact Different Communities. Movement Advancement Project, 2022
Enhanced Driver’s Licenses – What They Are and Where to Get Them. American Safety Council, June 29,2023
The TSA will charge a $45 fee to flyers without Real ID. WUNC (NPR affiliate), January 11, 2026
DHS Announces Confirmation of Kristi Noem as DHS Secretary. American Immigration Lawyers Association, January 25, 2025