TSA Proposes $18 Fee for Travelers Without ID

The Transportation Security Administration proposed on Thursday a new $18 fee for adult travelers in the United States who arrive at airport security checkpoints without an acceptable form of identification, such as a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or passport. The nonrefundable charge, outlined in a notice published in the Federal Register, would fund a modernized alternative identity verification program designed to confirm passengers' identities using biographic or biometric information, potentially including facial recognition technology that the agency has been testing.

Under the proposal, travelers paying the fee would gain access to TSA checkpoints for up to 10 days without needing to pay again during that period. The program aims to replace the current identity verification process, which relies on personal questions, record checks and additional screening and has proven resource-intensive. TSA officials stated that the fee covers the costs of implementing the upgraded system, calculated based on expected expenses and the number of affected travelers. However, the agency emphasized that participation is optional and does not guarantee verification or entry to the...