Avoid This New TSA Fee By Knowing REAL ID Rules

(Dallas Fort Worth International Airport) Flyers can be hit with all kinds of fees. From overweight/oversized baggage fees, to extra leg room in the cabin, in-flight snacks or meals, to tipping the curb attendant, and even parking fees. Now, travelers who are not REAL ID-compliant could be faced with an additional charge.

Why REAL ID Is Now Required to Fly

Having a REAL ID-compliant ID to fly became mandatory on May 7, 2025. It is required to pass through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at the airport. It's an ID that meets minimum federal security standards that were set forth by the REAL ID Act of 2005. If your driver's license has a white star within a yellow circle (in most states), your ID is already REAL ID-compliant.

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What Is TSA’s ConfirmID Program?

It's now official, as of February 1, 2026, those without a REAL ID or other approved form of identification will be charged an additional $45 fee to obtain a ConfirmID from TSA. The $45 charge covers the verification process, which could take up to 30 minutes to complete. Once completed, the ConfirmID will be valid for a 10-day travel period. Once the ConfirmID has expired, users will have to go through the process once again, paying an additional $45.

How the $45 TSA Fee Works

However, paying the $45 fee will not guarantee access beyond the TSA checkpoint, and you could be turned away. If you are going to obtain a ConfirmID, TSA recommends you pay and complete the process before arriving at the airport.

Accepted Forms of ID at TSA Checkpoints

If you'd like to skip paying the the $45 processing fee, these forms of ID will be accepted at a TSA checkpoint:

A non-expired passport or passport card
Permanent resident card
Traveler card - Global Entry or NEXUS
Military ID
Photo ID from a federally recognized tribal nation

How Many Travelers Will Be Affected

According to the TSA, this new fee will only affect 6% of passengers; around 94% of passengers already use REAL ID or other forms of identification.

The Updated 2025 U.S. Government 'Do Not Travel' List

Traveling to unique and exotic places rather than the usual tourist traps can be quite an adventure. However, it's crucial to research your destination thoroughly.

While every trip comes with some risk, requiring you to mind your surroundings and take some precautions, there are some places you should probably avoid because the risks far outweigh the benefits.

The United States government has a helpful website that lists travel advisories that are in place for countries all over the world, ranking the risk from Level 1 through Level 4.

You should NOT travel there if a country is issued a Level 4 advisory. As of November, the countries below are on the 'Do Not Travel' list.

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Source: New TSA Fee Hits Travelers Without REAL ID

Filed Under: Texas, travel