Are you flying for Thanksgiving with a driver’s license that doesn’t have a star on it? Then the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may ask you for $45 before you reach the gate, and even paying doesn’t guarantee you will board.
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, so there are still a few weeks to fix it. Your state license rules matter too: Nevada’s DMV stops issuing licenses for three days this month. We explain what the fee covers, who has to pay it and how to avoid it.
What is the $45 fee?
It is the price of TSA ConfirmID, a process for travelers who arrive at security without an acceptable ID. The fee lets TSA try to verify who you are at the checkpoint. If you agree, you will be asked for details such as your legal name, address and date of birth.
The key word is “try.” According to TSA’s official FAQ, there is no guarantee that it can confirm your identity. The program is voluntary, but if you skip it and have no acceptable ID, you may not be allowed through security and could miss your flight.
Who has to pay?
Only travelers who show up without a REAL ID or another accepted document. If you have any of these, you don’t pay:
- A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID, usually marked with a star at the top of the card.
- A valid U.S. passport or passport card.
- An enhanced driver’s license, offered by some states.
- A DHS trusted traveler card, such as Global Entry, or a military ID.
- A photo ID from a federally recognized Tribal Nation.
The full list is on TSA’s ID page. So a standard license isn’t a dead end. If you own a valid passport, simply bring it.
What about a phone ID?
TSA accepts mobile driver’s licenses that meet REAL ID standards, and digital passport options through Apple, Google and CLEAR. However, it says you must also bring your physical ID to the checkpoint. That is worth remembering as more states add this option, such as Connecticut’s Mobile ID launching November 18.
How does paying work?
TSA recommends paying before you get to the airport, because the rules at the checkpoint are unforgiving. If you reach the line without an acceptable ID and without paying, you have to leave, pay and go to the back of the line.
These are the practical details:
- You pay on Pay.gov with a bank account, debit or credit card, Venmo or PayPal.
- You can pay for another traveler, and the receipt must show that person’s name.
- You must show proof of payment, so keep the Pay.gov email or a screenshot.
- The fee covers 10 days from the travel date on your receipt.
That 10-day window is useful for a typical holiday trip, but a longer stay could mean paying again on the way home.
Can you still get a REAL ID before Thanksgiving?
Possibly, but it depends on your state. You generally have to go to the DMV in person with proof of identity, your Social Security number and two proofs of address. Some states also mail the card later, so don’t leave it to the last week.
Check your state DMV’s website for the exact documents and for appointment availability. Remember that some state rules are also shifting, as we explained in the case of license renewals in Tennessee.
If you can’t get the card in time, the cheapest option is often the one already in your drawer: check whether your passport is still valid before you pay anything.
