Failing to Update Your Driver's License May Soon Result in a $45 Fine | Carscoops

      Beginning in February, the TSA will implement a $45 fee for passengers traveling without proper identification.

      Travelers will need to pay this fee to verify their identity through the TSA Confirm.ID system. Most individuals already possess a REAL ID or another valid form of identification.

      The government has been encouraging citizens to obtain a REAL ID for several years, and they have grown frustrated with those delaying the process. Soon, travelers will face additional costs.

      Under a new initiative, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has revealed that those without a REAL ID will be required to pay a $45 fee for verification through an “alternative identity verification system” named TSA Confirm.ID. This system is expected to be in use at security checkpoints starting February 1, 2026.

      Although the fee is considerable, it allows passengers to continue flying without a REAL ID. The $45 fee will be valid for a 10-day travel period, accommodating some emergency trips or spontaneous getaways.

      Despite this new fee, the TSA is advising travelers without a REAL ID to promptly make an appointment at their local DMV to get their driver’s license updated. Other forms of identification are acceptable and will allow passengers to avoid the TSA Confirm.ID fee. Common alternatives include a U.S. passport or a Department of Defense ID.

      The TSA reports that over 94% of travelers already present a REAL ID or other acceptable ID forms. However, those who do not will be directed to the TSA Confirm.ID process for identity verification at check-in before entering the security line.

      Though the specifics are unclear and may vary by airport, these travelers should anticipate longer wait times.

      According to TSA’s Acting Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl, “Most travelers present acceptable identification like REAL IDs and passports, but we need to ensure that everyone who flies is accurately identified.” He added that the $45 fee is designed to ensure that the cost of verifying insufficient identification is borne by the traveler, not the taxpayer.