Texas Joins Florida, Illinois, California, Washington, Michigan, And Other Forty-Four States In US As REAL ID Rollout Sparks Travel Conflict, With $45 Fee For Non-Compliant Travelers

Published on December 2, 2025

Starting February 1, 2026, Texas joins Florida, Illinois, California, Washington, Michigan, and other forty-four states as the U.S. government introduces a $45 REAL ID fee to encourage travelers to meet stricter ID standards. This move comes as part of the government’s efforts to enforce the REAL ID Act, which was passed in 2005 but has seen multiple delays. With the deadline approaching, travelers without a compliant ID will be charged a non-refundable fee at airport security checkpoints, pushing millions to obtain the required documentation to avoid delays and additional costs.

Starting February 1, 2026, travelers across the United States will face a new and potentially disruptive travel challenge. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will enforce a $45 fee for passengers without a REAL ID-compliant form of identification, such as a valid driver’s license or passport, at U.S. airport checkpoints. This move, part of the federal government’s ongoing effort to enforce the REAL ID Act, is designed to encourage travelers to meet the stricter identification standards established by Congress in 2005.

The REAL ID Act: A Brief Overview

The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the 9/11 attacks, with the aim of improving the security of identification documents. It set new federal standards for state-issued IDs and driver’s licenses. These IDs must now include specific features, such as a star marking them as REAL ID-compliant, to indicate that they meet the federal standards for identification.

Though initially intended to be fully implemented by 2008, the deadline for REAL ID compliance has been extended several times. Full enforcement of the Act began in May 2025, with airport security checkpoints requiring travelers to present a REAL ID-compliant ID or an alternative approved document, such as a passport. To further reinforce compliance, starting February 2026, travelers who present non-compliant IDs will be charged a non-refundable $45 fee for a new identity verification process, which includes biographic and biometric data verification for up to 10 days of travel.

The New $45 Fee: What You Need to Know

This new $45 fee is part of an effort to push travelers to either get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or carry another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport. The fee will apply to travelers who arrive at U.S. airports without an acceptable form of identification meeting the REAL ID standards. The fee is non-refundable and will cover a 10-day period of travel, allowing passengers to use the identity verification service for multiple flights during that window.

While travelers will be allowed to pay the fee at the airport, doing so could cause significant delays, as it could take up to 30 minutes to complete the process, potentially risking missed flights. However, passengers can avoid the airport delay by paying the fee online in advance through the TSA’s “TSA Confirm.ID” platform, which will expedite the process to just 10-15 minutes.

The new fee is expected to create a notable inconvenience for travelers, particularly in states with low compliance rates, and raise questions about the overall impact on air travel efficiency.

Exemptions and Accepted IDs

The new REAL ID fee will not apply to children under 18 years old, who are exempt from showing ID when traveling with an adult. In certain extraordinary circumstances, such as medical emergencies, the fee may be waived at the discretion of the TSA officer.

Accepted forms of identification for domestic air travel include:

• REAL ID-compliant state driver’s licenses or enhanced driver’s licenses (marked with a star)
• U.S. passports and passport cards
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• Permanent resident cards
• Department of Defense IDs
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Cards (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credentials
• Veteran Health Identification Cards (VHIC)

It is important to note that approximately 94% of travelers already present compliant IDs, minimizing the impact of the fee for most passengers. However, millions of travelers across the U.S. are still not in compliance, especially in states with lower adoption rates.

Why the $45 Fee Is Being Implemented

The $45 fee was introduced after the TSA found that the previous $18 fee proposed in November 2025 could not cover the rising operational and administrative costs. According to TSA officials, the increased fee accounts for the higher-than-expected costs for identity verification, both in terms of IT infrastructure and staffing to handle the growing number of non-compliant travelers.

Furthermore, the fee will help offset the expense of implementing the identity verification process, which involves biographic and biometric data collection, ensuring a more robust and secure travel experience. The move is intended to encourage travelers to obtain REAL IDs or use other approved documents that meet the new federal standards, ultimately enhancing the overall security of domestic air travel.

States with Low REAL ID Compliance

Compliance with the REAL ID Act has been slow in certain states, especially where residents have not yet obtained a compliant driver’s license. Travelers from these states are more likely to face the $45 fee. Below are states where compliance has been lagging, and which will therefore see a higher proportion of travelers impacted by the new fee:

• Texas: Although Texas has a high compliance rate (98% in previous reports), the state’s large population means that many residents still do not have a compliant ID. Texas has not issued standard non-compliant IDs since 2016.
• California: California’s compliance rate is lower, around 55%, with high-volume airports like LAX amplifying the impact.
• New Jersey: With one of the lowest compliance rates, only 17% of residents were compliant as of April 2025.
• Pennsylvania: At 26% compliance, Pennsylvania’s major hubs like Philadelphia will be affected significantly.
• New York: New York has a compliance rate of 43%, though it offers Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs) as an alternative.
• Washington: Washington only issues Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs), and has no standard REAL ID star.
• Michigan: Michigan offers EDLs, but compliance remains below average.
• Minnesota: Compliance rates in Minnesota are also low, though the state offers EDLs as an alternative to standard REAL IDs.
• Florida: Florida has high compliance rates, with nearly all travelers from the state expected to meet REAL ID requirements by 2025, so travelers here will not be affected by the fee.

States Affected by the REAL ID Requirement

The following states face notable challenges with REAL ID compliance, and their residents are more likely to be impacted by the $45 fee. These states have not yet achieved a high level of compliance and will see many of their travelers required to pay the new fee at security checkpoints:

• California
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• New York
• Washington
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Texas

What Travelers Need to Do

Travelers who do not yet have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or other accepted form of identification are encouraged to take action well before the February 2026 deadline. Here’s what passengers can do to avoid the new fee and ensure smooth travel:

1. Check Your ID: Ensure your driver’s license or ID card has the REAL ID star symbol. If it doesn’t, apply for a compliant ID through your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
2. Apply for a Passport: If you don’t want to rely on a state-issued ID, you can also use a valid U.S. passport as an acceptable form of ID.
3. Pre-Pay the Fee: If you can’t obtain a compliant ID in time, pre-pay the $45 fee online to avoid delays at the airport.
4. Stay Updated: Monitor your state’s DMV website for any updates regarding REAL ID compliance and renewal processes.

The introduction of the $45 REAL ID fee marks a significant shift in U.S. air travel regulations. Travelers in states with low REAL ID compliance will likely face a challenging few years ahead, as they must either comply with the new standards or pay a fee to verify their identity. While the majority of travelers are already compliant, millions will still need to make the switch. It’s vital for these individuals to act now to avoid delays at airport checkpoints and to ensure they are ready for the 2026 deadline.

Starting February 1, 2026, Texas joins Florida, Illinois, California, Washington, Michigan, and other forty-four states as the U.S. government introduces a $45 REAL ID fee to enforce stricter ID standards for air travel. This fee aims to encourage travelers to obtain REAL ID-compliant identification ahead of the enforcement deadline.

The new measure is intended to boost security and standardize identification processes at airports across the U.S., but it also introduces a wave of inconvenience and added costs for travelers, especially those from non-compliant states. As enforcement of the REAL ID Act moves forward, travelers must stay informed and prepared for the new requirements that will define the future of domestic air travel.