Don't Fly Without a Real ID in 2026, Unless You Want to Pay $45 Extra

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.Reviews ethics statement Don't Fly Without a Real ID in 2026, Unless You Want to Pay $45 Extra Starting Feb. 1, travelers who don't have the required government-issued ID will need to pay a fee and undergo a biometric scan. Jason ChunAssociate Writer Jason Chun is a CNET writer covering a range of topics in tech, home, wellness, finance and streaming services. He is passionate about language and technology, and has been an avid writer/reader of science fiction for most of his life. He holds a BA from UC Santa Barbara and an MFA from The New School. Macy is a writer on the AI Team. She covers how AI is changing daily life and how to make the most of it. This includes writing about consumer AI products and their real-world impact, from breakthrough tools reshaping daily life to the intimate ways people interact with AI technology day-to-day. Macy is a North Carolina native who graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA in English and a second BA in Journalism. You can reach her at mmeyer@cnet.com. ExpertiseMacy covers consumer AI products and their real-world impactCredentials Macy has been working for CNET for coming on 2 years. Prior to CNET, Macy received a North Carolina College Media Association award in sports writing. Arielle Burton is an associate content manager on CNET's Performance Optimization team. She graduated from Hofstra University in New York. Prior to joining CNET, she worked with legacy news (ABC7NY and Fox Business Network) and tech companies (Mashable). She specializes in crafting compelling alerts, building community engagement on news platforms, and optimizing CNET's content for all audiences. Ultimately, Arielle is a digital media professional by day and a fierce chef by night. Real IDs became required for flying domestically on May 7. At the time, about 60% of people in the US had Real IDs. Frederic J. Brown/Getty Images If you're planning to fly in 2026 without a Real ID, you might end up paying extra. The Transportation Security Administration has announced that, beginning Feb. 1, travelers who show up to the airport without a Real ID or a valid passport will face a new identity verification fee of $45. This option replaces an earlier proposed $18 fee and still requires a separate biometric scan to validate a traveler's identity. Zooey Liao/CNET Obtaining a Real ID is straightforward in most states, especially if you're renewing a driver's license. However, if it's been a while since you've visited the DMV or you're unsure of your current status, it's worth double-checking. Use the interactive map below to find your state's requirements and ensure you're ready to fly without extra fees or delays. What is a Real ID, and how do I know if I have one? Real IDs or valid passports are required at airport security as of May 7 this year. US...

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