Did you know that a seemingly minor feature on your driver’s license or state ID could soon save you $45 when you fly in 2026? This small detail is part of a broader legislative push, introduced nearly 20 years ago, aimed at standardizing identification across the United States.

Back in the early 2000s, lawmakers set out to establish national minimum standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. This initiative culminated in the creation of the REAL ID Act, which was designed to enhance the security of personal identification. By spring 2025, these standards will be fully enforced, requiring a compliant ID for activities such as boarding domestic flights, accessing specific federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants.

As of December, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported that compliance among air travelers was impressively high, with more than 94% of passengers already meeting the REAL ID requirements. This high compliance rate indicates that most travelers are prepared for the upcoming changes, which will soon be essential for seamless domestic travel.

(NEXSTAR) – Whether or not your driver’s license or state identification card has one small feature on it could determine whether you’ll be asked to fork over $45 before your flight in 2026.

Roughly two decades ago, legislation was enacted to create a national minimum requirement for state driver’s licenses and ID cards. In spring 2025, those requirements for what are now known as REAL IDs took effect, making a compliant ID a necessity if you want to board a domestic flight, visit certain federal facilities, or enter a nuclear power plant.

In early December, the Transportation Security Administration reported that, in regard to the air travel requirement, more than 94% of travelers had been in compliance.

The remaining non-compliant travelers, liable to be turned away at TSA security checkpoints, could undergo an identity verification process with a TSA officer to continue through to their flight.

In 2026, however, the process is changing.

The TSA announced in December that, starting February 1, it “will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID.”

“This fee ensures the cost to cover verification of an insufficient ID will come from the traveler, not the taxpayer,” Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA Adam Stahl said in a press release.

When the program starts, if you arrive at a security checkpoint without a REAL ID-compliant form of identification, you you “will be referred to the optional TSA Confirm.ID process” before entering the security line. As part of the process, you’ll be asked to submit “biographic and/or biometric information” to confirm your identity and that you are not on a Secure Flight watch list.

The TSA notes the process will differ across airports, but the identity verification will be good for 10 days. That means, as long as your flight is within a 10-day timeframe, you should not need to go through the TSA Confirm.ID process more than once.

The $45 fee can be paid at the airport, but the TSA recommends paying for it online ahead of time. Those undergoing the optional program “should expect delays” at the airport, the agency warned.

You may already be REAL ID-compliant

As the TSA noted, more than nine in 10 travelers it served in 2025 were in compliance, and there’s a good chance you’re among that group.

Take a look at your driver’s license or state-issued ID: if there is a star on your driver’s license or state ID card, you have a REAL ID-compliant card. The star may be black or gold, completely filled in or only an outline. Either way, you’re compliant.

Some states — Minnesota, Michigan, New York, and Vermont —  issue REAL ID-compliant IDs and enhanced driver’s licenses (Washington only issues the latter). State-enhanced driver’s licenses are marked with a flag rather than a star and include a chip that can make it easier to enter the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. REAL IDs cannot be used for crossing the borders.

If you are without a REAL ID, TSA accepts multiple other forms of identification, including a U.S. passport or passport, a Department of Defense ID (including those issued to dependents), and photo IDs issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards.

Other acceptable forms of ID include:

• Foreign government-issued passport
• Veteran Health Identification Card
• DHS trusted traveler cards
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• HSPD-12 PIV cards
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

You can find more details about TSA’s screening process here.

If you’re planning to fly domestically in 2026 and have one of the aforementioned forms of ID, you don’t necessarily need a REAL ID. Ultimately, they are optional and the need for one varies based on your situation.

At select airports, Clear ID, Apple Digital ID, and Google ID passes will also be accepted, according to TSA.

Expired IDs are accepted for up to two years past date.