The United States is set to introduce a significant new fee for air travellers who have not obtained a federally compliant REAL ID. Starting in 2025, passengers boarding domestic flights within the U.S. without the enhanced identification will be charged a fee of US$45, as reported by The Associated Press.
What is the REAL ID and Why the Fee?
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, established stricter security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. The deadline for full enforcement has been postponed multiple times but is now firmly on the horizon. The new $45 fee represents a concrete step to encourage compliance and offset the costs of enhanced security screening for those using alternative, non-compliant documents.
The fee will apply to travellers who present standard driver's licenses or other IDs that do not meet the REAL ID standards when passing through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints for domestic flights. The announcement was made public on December 1, 2025.
Impact on Canadian Travellers to the United States
While the REAL ID requirement is for U.S. domestic flights, it has important implications for Canadian citizens flying into the United States. Upon arrival, Canadians using connecting flights to travel to another U.S. city will be subject to the same TSA security checks. If a Canadian traveller's connecting flight is considered a domestic U.S. leg, they must ensure they have acceptable identification.
For Canadians, a valid passport remains the primary and recommended document for entering the United States by air. The passport is TSA-approved and will not incur the new fee. The $45 charge is specifically aimed at U.S. residents and others using non-compliant state IDs for domestic travel.
How to Identify a REAL ID and Next Steps
A REAL ID-compliant card is marked with a star in the upper corner. Travellers are urged to check their state-issued IDs for this symbol well before their travel dates in 2025. Those without a REAL ID can still use other TSA-approved documents to avoid the fee, including a U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, or trusted traveller program cards like NEXUS or Global Entry.
The introduction of this fee underscores the U.S. government's final push toward full REAL ID Act enforcement. Travellers, both American and Canadian, are advised to review their identification documents and plan accordingly to ensure smooth and cost-effective travel.
