Key Takeaways
- New Fee: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will charge a $45 fee to air travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport.
- Start Date: This new rule will go into effect on February 1.
- Verification Process: The fee covers a new online identity verification process that travelers must complete before passing through security, which could take 10 to 30 minutes or longer.
- No Guarantee: Completing the verification process and paying the fee does not guarantee that a traveler will be cleared to fly.
Starting February 1, travelers arriving at airport security without a REAL ID or passport will face a new $45 fee, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Monday. This charge is a key part of the next phase in the agency’s implementation of the REAL ID Act.
Why TSA is Implementing the Fee
The new fee is designed to cover the costs of a modernized identity verification system. If a traveler does not present a compliant ID, they will need to use a biometric or biographic system to confirm their identity before being allowed through the security checkpoint.
“The fee was necessary because we needed to modernize the system. We needed to make sure that the system is safe,” Steve Lorincz, TSA’s Deputy Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations, told ABC News.
The agency stated that the $45 charge, which was increased from a previously proposed $18, will cover the administrative and IT expenses of the program. This ensures the cost is borne by travelers using the service, not by taxpayers.
How the New Verification Process Works
Individuals without a compliant ID can go to the TSA.gov website to begin the verification process. After following the listed instructions and paying the fee, they will receive an email confirmation to present to the TSA officer.
Travelers should plan for extra time, as the process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes but can extend to 30 minutes or more.
What to Expect at the Airport
If you arrive at the security checkpoint without an acceptable ID, you will be directed out of line to complete the online verification and payment process. This rule also applies to travelers whose REAL ID or passport has been lost or stolen.
It’s crucial to note that paying the fee is not a guaranteed ticket through security. “We still need to go through the process to make sure that we verify who you are. And for whatever reason, if we can’t do that, then you can’t go through the process,” Lorincz explained.
Once a traveler is successfully verified, the clearance is valid for up to ten days. After that period, they will need to repeat the process and pay the fee again if they travel without a REAL ID.
Fortunately, the TSA reports that approximately 94% of travelers are already using a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification.
Image Referance: https://abcnews.go.com/US/tsa-announces-45-fee-travelers-real-id/story?id=127991193
