A Real ID sign in a security line at an airport. Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Travelers without a Real ID will soon face a $45 fee to fly domestically, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced Monday.
Why it matters: The new charge is more than double what was previously announced.
How it works: The new fee will kick in for air travelers starting Feb. 1.
Passengers will be required to pay $45 in lieu of having a Real ID to cover an additional biometric screening for security. The screening process will take 10-30 minutes.
The fee, which can be paid online in advance or in person, is valid for 10 days at security checkpoints. After that, a traveler will have to pay again.
Zoom in: A Real ID is optional, but without one you need another federally accepted ID — like a passport or military ID — to board flights or enter certain federal buildings.
In Pennsylvania, you can request a Real ID when renewing your driver's license by paying a one-time $30 fee plus your regular renewal fee.
Zoom out: Without the additional data gathering covered by the new $45 fee, travelers might not make it past security, the TSA said.
