Flying domestically in the United States without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or other acceptable identification after February 1, 2026, will require travelers to pay a TSA fee and complete additional identity verification before passing through airport security.
REAL ID Enforcement Timeline and What Changes in 2026
- The federal REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005, but enforcement at US airports did not begin until May 7, 2025.
- Identification accepted at TSA security checkpoints includes state-issued compliant driver’s licenses or valid passports.
- Beginning on February 1, 2026, non-compliant travelers will need to pay a fee and cooperate with TSA ConfirmID screening as part of the airport security process.
Implementation of the REAL ID Act
After multiple deadline extensions, TSA finally began enforcing the REAL ID Act on May 7, 2025. As of that date, to fly domestically, air passengers need to present a compliant state-issued driver’s license.
Twenty years have passed since Congress passed the Act and multiple enforcement deadlines were set and reset. I equated the TSA with Aesop’s boy who cried wolf and assumed that it would never go into effect.
I put off getting a new, enhanced driver’s license.
Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!
Getting a Compliant Driver’s License
When enforcement began last year, procrastinators, like me, could still fly without a REAL ID by presenting a valid passport. Additional forms of compliant identification are accepted, including digital ID passes available through Clear, Apple and Google.
Because remembering to pack my passport was a travel headache I didn’t need, I sucked it up and finally got my new driver’s license.
I hadn’t visited my Department of Motor Vehicles in years, so I was surprised to see that much had changed since my last license renewal. I made an appointment in advance and arrived with a completed form and supporting documentation.
A friendly greeter acknowledged my arrival and asked me to take a seat. Before I could take my paperback out of my tote, my number was called. The very friendly clerk reviewed my papers, took a new photo and processed my payment in minutes. My REAL ID arrived in the mail two weeks later.
I vowed to stop making DMV jokes.
Will You Be Impacted by the February 2026 TSA Change?
Flashing my REAL ID for my first flight felt like an adulting moment.
And I smugly rolled my eyes at travelers approaching TSA without a REAL ID or a passport. I watched them get handed red slips of paper and disappear off the security line, headed to parts unknown.
This is a small minority of domestic air travelers. TSA notes that 94% of passengers arrive for flights in possession of REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification.
If you’re one of the few, a new process goes into effect on February 1, 2026. And it’s going to cost you time and money.
TSA ConfirmID Process
The new TSA ConfirmID Process goes into effect at US airports on February 1, 2026. Travelers who do not possess a compliant ID and intend to fly will be required to pay a $45 fee and submit to identification checks, the scope of which will vary from airport to airport.
TSA warns travelers undergoing TSA ConfirmID screening to expect delays, possibly 30 minutes or more. Factor this into your airport arrival time.
If you pass, you’ll be granted security clearance, good for 10 days only. It is not a permanent REAL ID solution.
If you don’t, you won’t be able to fly and the TSA fee is non-refundable.
Online prepayment of the fee is encouraged by TSA; however, a pay portal is not available on the TSA website as of January 2026.
Non-compliant air passengers should bookmark the TSA ConfirmID page and watch closely for additional information.
REAL ID FAQ
Where is REAL ID Required?
Air passengers must present a compliant REAL ID or acceptable alternative to fly domestically and to enter certain federal buildings and facilities. For example, you need a REAL ID to tour the White House.
Is My License REAL ID-Compliant?
Look for a star symbol in the upper right-hand corner. Five US states (Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington) issue enhanced licenses. These have a US flag symbol and, in addition to domestic air travel, are accepted for land and sea crossings for Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries.
Do Kids Need a REAL ID?
Because TSA does not require children under 18 to present identification when flying, the REAL ID requirement is not applicable. However, the agency encourages you to contact your airline for any additional requirements for minors, particularly if they are traveling solo.
Read More:
- 16 Surprising Places Americans Can Travel Without a Passport
- TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. Clear: Which is the Best Way to Speed Through Airport Security?
- What to Do When Your Expedited Passport Doesn’t Arrive in Time
- Why You Should Keep a Penny in the Freezer & Other Ways to Keep Your Home Safe While You’re Away
- Are You REAL ID Ready to Fly? What You Need to Do NOW!
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