U.S. air passengers without a REAL ID will be charged a US$45 fee starting in February, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced on Monday.
The updated ID has been required since May, but passengers without it have so far been able to pass through security with additional screening and a warning. The Department of Homeland Security states that 94% of passengers are already compliant and that the new fee aims to encourage travelers to obtain the ID.
The REAL ID is a driver’s license or state-issued identification card that complies with federal standards, meeting enhanced requirements established after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Obtaining the ID — indicated by a white star in a yellow circle in most states — means bringing more documents to the motor vehicle agency than most states require for standard IDs. It was supposed to be implemented in 2008, but rollout has been repeatedly delayed.
Starting February 1, travelers 18 years or older on domestic flights without a REAL ID and without another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, will pay the non-refundable fee to verify their identity through the TSA’s alternative “Confirm.ID” system.
TSA officials said that paying the fee does not guarantee verification, and travelers whose identity cannot be confirmed may be denied boarding. If approved, however, the verification will be valid for a 10-day travel period.
The fee can be paid online before arriving at the airport. Travelers can also pay online at the airport before entering the security line, but officials warned that the process can take up to 30 minutes.
The TSA initially proposed a US$18 fee for passengers without REAL ID, but officials announced on Monday that they increased it after determining that the alternative identification program would cost more than expected.
Other acceptable forms of ID include military IDs, permanent resident cards, and photo IDs from federally recognized tribal nations. The TSA also accepts digital IDs through platforms like Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet at more than 250 U.S. airports.
Source: npr.org