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Are You Making This Costly Mistake? New TSA Policy Could Add $45 to Your Travel Bill

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If you’re planning to catch a flight in the near future without a REAL ID, you might want to reconsider, as it could cost you.

Beginning February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will enforce a new policy where travelers who don’t present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or other approved identification at security checkpoints will incur a $45 fee.

This new fee is intended to support the TSA’s latest initiative, TSA ConfirmID, which offers a “modernized alternative identity verification” for those who either forget their IDs or haven’t upgraded to a REAL ID yet.

Adam Stahl, the senior official acting as the deputy administrator for the TSA, explained, “Travelers affected by this can opt for the TSA ConfirmID process for $45. This charge ensures that those lacking proper IDs bear the cost, not the taxpayers.”

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