Don’t have a REAL ID? Get ready to pay $45 penalty to fly

Air travelers without REAL ID will have to pay a $45 fee to the Transportation Security Administration starting Feb. 1.

The Tri-Cities Airport advises air travelers who do not have REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or identification cards that they will need to undergo TSA Confirm ID procedures.

The program requires a $45 fee covering a 10-day travel period. Travelers are encouraged to register in advance and submit payment through pay.gov to avoid congestion at security checkpoints.

Those who do not have either REAL ID or fail to preregister should allow extra time for security delays.

The Pasco airport encourages travelers to make appointments with the Department of Motor Vehicles to update their identifications.

Go to tsa.gov/realid.

This story was originally published January 20, 2026 at 3:36 PM.