Real ID Fees Start February 1st—Here's What NC Travelers Need to Know

If you've been putting off getting your Real ID, time is running out. Starting February 1st, anyone 18 or older without one will have to pay a $45 fee to clear TSA security at the airport.

TSA has been warning travelers about this requirement for nine years, but repeated deadline extensions led many to delay. Now it's finally happening—and not everyone is ready. According to TSA, about 90% of passengers currently have a Real ID, but the remaining 10% will face the new fee next month.

"They have been telling us for a long time, but because they kept delaying it, I think that also led people to say, well, I'm just gonna push it back," said Charlotte resident Javier Rodriguez.

In North Carolina, only about 58% of residents have upgraded to the Real ID, which features a yellow star in the corner. The state DMV says there hasn't been a noticeable spike in demand since the fee was announced, but that could change as the deadline approaches.

Getting an appointment may be a challenge. A check of the DMV website on Wednesday afternoon showed no openings available statewide. Many people at the Eastway Road DMV location told reporters they simply walked in. For those trying to book online, the DMV recommends checking for new appointments right at midnight on weekdays.