Air travel is always changing, and another change may soon add a new layer to the checkpoint experience. This year saw the long-awaited rollout of the REAL ID deadline.
Now, a proposed regulation from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would allow travelers without the required identification to continue through screening, but only after paying an $18 fee tied to a new biometric identity system.
What TSA is proposing
The proposal would include biometric screening
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A TSA spokesperson told ABC News: “This notice serves as a next step in the process in REAL ID compliance, which was signed into law more than 20 years ago and finally implemented by Secretary Noem as of May 2025.”
The representative added that TSA is striving to provide both security and efficiency at airport checkpoints. They also said, “Additional guidance will be announced in the coming days.”
TSA plans to introduce kiosks that confirm a traveler’s identity using biometric and biographic information. Anyone who arrives without a REAL ID, a passport, or other accepted forms of identification would be directed to the new system and charged the $18 fee. The fee would grant access to security checkpoints for ten days.
Why REAL ID matters now
Right now, each airport handles a non-compliant ID differently
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The federal REAL ID Act first became law in 2005, but implementation lagged for years as states updated their systems. Enforcement began in May. Since then, travelers on domestic flights have been technically required to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another approved form of identification, such as a passport.
Every airport has its own way of handling travelers without the proper documents. In most cases, passengers can still travel, though they may be required to undergo additional screening.
Currently, there is no additional fee for passengers without a compliant ID. The $18 fee will come as a surprise for many, especially travelers who have avoided getting the REAL ID because it represents an extra cost.
How the new identity check would work
The new system would involve biometric screening
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A notice filed with the Federal Register states that travelers arriving at the checkpoint without approved identification would need to confirm their identity through a kiosk. This kiosk would replace the agency’s existing secondary-verification process, which often includes waiting for a supervisor.
The notice made it clear that completing the biometric check would not guarantee passage into the secure area. Officers may still require additional screening, and travelers could be delayed, especially if the system cannot confirm the necessary information.
The bottom line
TSA hopes that if implemented, the new system will reduce bottlenecks and create a more consistent process. The proposed fee is non-refundable and remains valid for 10 days once paid. As of yet, there is no timeline for the proposed system.