If you've been putting off getting your REAL ID, your procrastination is about to get expensive.
The TSA announced this week that starting in February 2026, travelers without a REAL ID-compliant license will be charged a $45 fee. The good news? About 94% of passengers are already compliant. The bad news? If you're in that remaining 6%, you've got some paperwork ahead of you.
What Is REAL ID Again?
REAL ID is a federal security standard for state-issued IDs, created after 9/11 to make identification documents more secure and harder to fake. You can tell if your license is compliant by looking for a star in the upper corner.
Starting May 7, 2025, you'll need a REAL ID-compliant license (or a passport) to fly domestically. The February fee is apparently meant to encourage stragglers to get compliant before the deadline.
How To Get One
The process varies by state, but generally you'll need to bring:
- Proof of identity (birth certificate or passport) - Proof of Social Security number - Two proofs of residency (utility bills, bank statements, etc.) - Proof of any legal name changes (marriage certificate, court order, etc.)
Many states offer online pre-application to speed up the process. Some DMVs are appointment-only; others have brutal wait times. Plan accordingly.
Why This Matters Now
The holiday travel season is here, which means millions of people are about to discover whether their IDs are compliant. If yours isn't, you can still fly — for now. After May, you'll either need the REAL ID, a passport, or to pay the $45 fee every time you want to board a plane.
The Department of Homeland Security has been pushing the REAL ID deadline back for years, including pandemic-related delays. But this time it looks like they're serious.
The Bottom Line
If you don't have a REAL ID yet, get one. The $45 fee might not seem like much for a single trip, but it adds up fast for frequent travelers. And honestly, getting your documents in order now is easier than scrambling at the airport later.
Check your state's DMV website for requirements and availability. Some states have long processing times, so don't wait until the last minute. Future you will thank present you.