The U.S. Transportation Security Administration announced Monday that starting Feb. 1, passengers without identification cards that meet stricter federal standards will be charged $45. The aim of the measure is to incentivize travelers to obtain improved identification documents, according to a Reuters report.
In May of this year, the TSA began enforcing the standards known as “REAL ID,” but issued warnings and increased screening of travelers without the new IDs. TSA officials said they will encourage passengers without REAL IDs to obtain them or pay a fee before reaching the airport. The $45 fee covers travel for 10 days.
On Nov. 20, the TSA announced in the Federal Register that passengers may be charged an $18 fee if they are missing a REAL ID. However, officials explained at the briefing that the fee was increased due to higher-than-expected option costs.
Who is exempt?
Fees are non-refundable and may take up to 30 minutes for passengers to pay if they have not paid before arriving at the airport and need to go through security. In exceptional cases, officials said they may waive the fees. Children under the age of 18 do not need to present an ID at airport checks.
What is accepted?
Most travelers use state-issued driver’s licenses that meet the requirements, but passports from any government are also accepted, along with other forms of identification such as permanent resident cards, Department of Defense IDs, DHS Trusted Traveler Cards, and more. Currently, around 94% of passengers at airports have a valid ID.
More stringent standards proposed in 2005
In 2005, Congress passed new, stricter federal standards for issuing identification cards, but enforcement has been repeatedly delayed. People also require these passes to visit a federal building.
The 2005 Act implemented the September 11, 2001 commission’s recommendation that the US government “establish standards for the issuance of sources of identification such as driver’s licenses.” Establishes minimum security standards for issuing and creating licenses.
(With input from agencies.)
