If you I plan to fly in 2026, without Real ID, you may have to pay extra. The Transportation Security Administration has announced that, starting February 1, travelers arriving at the airport without a Real ID or valid passport will pay a new ID verification fee of $45. This option replaces previously proposed fee of $18 and still requires a separate biometric scan to confirm the traveler's identity.
Getting a Real ID is easy in most states, especially if you are renewing your driver's license. However, if you haven't visited the DMV in a while or are unsure of your current status, it's worth double-checking. Use the interactive map below to find out your state's requirements and make sure you're ready to fly without extra fees or delays.
To find out more, find out how use Google Flight Data to find the cheapest flights.
What is Real ID and how do I know if I have it?
As of May 7 this year, airport security requires real IDs or valid passports.
Real ID is an enhanced version of a typical state driver's license or identification card. The new standards were set out in a document. Real ID Act of 2005as a means of helping authorities combat terrorism and identity fraud.
Never miss any of our unbiased technical content and behind-the-lab reviews. Add CNET as Google's preferred source.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, all 50 states and the District of Columbia now comply with Real ID standards. If you recently renewed your driver's license or identification card, it likely already meets the requirements. If you haven't updated it in a few years, chances are you'll have to do so.
Licenses approved by Real ID will have one of these asterisks in the upper right corner.
You can determine this by looking at your license: if there is a gold, black or white star in the top right corner, you have a real ID. (There are some minor variations: California places a white star on top of the state's bear logo, and Maine places it within the state outline.)
What happens if I still don't have a Real ID?
As of May 7, TSA and other federal agencies accept only Real ID-approved licenses and identification cards “for access to federal facilities,” according to DHS.
If you are an adult US citizen and do not have Real ID, you will be required to show a valid passport at airport security checkpoints, even if you are flying domestically. You can also show one of these other forms of ID instead of:
For now, you can still board domestic flights with a driver's license or ID that does not meet Real ID requirements.
This driver's license has the Real ID star logo in the upper right corner.
Not having a Real ID compliant license will not affect other uses of your driver's license, including testing your ability to drive or purchase alcohol, firearms, or tobacco products.
How do I apply for a Real ID card in my state?
You can get a Real ID from the same government agency that issues your driver's license. This process typically requires paperwork, including proof of identity and status as a U.S. resident or citizen, proof of your Social Security number, and several proofs of your current address.
You will need to provide originals or paper copies of documents such as a birth certificate, Social Security card or US passport. Photocopies and screenshots are not accepted. Check your State driver's license agency website for more details.
After submitting your application, you will receive a temporary paper ID. You should receive your Real ID-approved license in the mail in about three or four weeks.
With some exceptions, the cost of obtaining a Real ID compliant license is the same as renewing a license or non-driving ID card.
