You’ll Still Be Able To Fly Without a REAL ID — But You May Be Charged a Fee

It’s been a long and winding road for REAL ID. The policy became law all the way back in 2005, and it finally became a requirement to fly in May of this year.

Although REAL ID is now required to fly, it’s still possible to fly without it (or a passport), but this requires additional verification.

Now, the TSA has issued a notice outlining a process for individuals who don’t have a REAL ID or a passport to clear security checkpoints.

Here’s what you need to know.

TSA Outlines New Process for Flying Without a REAL ID

Despite the requirement to fly with a REAL ID, passengers have still been able to fly without one, although it requires several extra steps for identity verification.

Now, the TSA is implementing a policy that will require passengers without a REAL ID or a valid passport to pay an $18 fee to have their identity verified through a new system that utilizes a passenger’s biometric information to verify their identity and check it against the Secure Flight watch list.

The TSA’s notice says that its “modernized, technology-enabled program will provide additional methods of alternative identity verification beyond what TSA currently provides and reduce the time required to verify identities using the existing methods.”

Note, however, that there’s no timeline in place for when this system will be operational. Furthermore, it doesn’t guarantee someone’s identity, nor does it ensure that they’ll be provided access to the secure area in the airport.

The fee will be in place to pay for this new technology, which, in turn, will decrease the amount of time and human labor it takes to verify the identity of those without the required form(s) of identification. The TSA envisions that the $18 fee will cover the use of the new system for 10 days, and it would have to be paid again once that 10-day period expires.

Final Thoughts

Since REAL ID became a requirement for flying, there have been ways around it, but it has required a significant amount of extra work on the part of the TSA. This new policy would streamline that process in exchange for an $18 fee, valid for 10 days of use per payment.

This seems like a reasonable compromise, as it accounts for the extra efforts required to verify the identity of those who aren’t REAL ID compliant — and it might spur those who don’t yet have a REAL ID to come around to it.