TSA Announces New Fee For Wisconsin Travelers Without REAL ID

Tis the season for holiday travel and if that wasn't stressful enough, you may face new fines next time you go to the airport - especially if you're a procrastinator.

For a very long time, we've all been advised to get a REAL I.D. In fact, the actual deadline to need one to get onto an airline has been pushed back time and time again. This year, it finally went into effect.

Get our free mobile app

I got mine last year because I knew that I would procrastinate even more if they kept pushing it back, plus I moved so it was a great time to kill two birds with one stone. I had it well before the May deadline.

Now, that deadline has come and gone and some kinks are still being worked out when it comes to traveling with a REAL I.D. or without. However, if you don't have one by now, you may need to pay up.

TSA Announces New Fee At Airports Starting Next Year

In a new press release issued earlier this week, TSA announced that all passengers who show up to the airport without an accepted form of identification and still want to take off on the friendly skies will be fined $45 bucks.

RELATED: TSA Bans Three New Items For Travelers In Minnesota + Wisconsin

The charge covers your one-time use of their identify verification system, so the passenger's identity can be confirmed without a passport or REAL I.D. This will begin on February 1st of next year so get to it if you don't have an acceptable form of ID!

Travelers will then be able to travel for a ten-day period after their identity is verified with the system, meaning if your trip is only for a weekend, you won't have to pay a second fine. The TSA is still urging passengers to go to the DMV and get their REAL I.D. as soon as possible, as this is not a longterm solution.

RELATED: This Phone Is Now Banned On All Minnesota Phones

Yes, the DMV can be a boring chore but you are also wasting money by not getting one considering the $45 fee costs more than the ID itself. According to the TSA, about 94 percent of us have our REAL I.D. so if you don't have yours yet, you are really slacking.

It should also be noted that you are asked to pay for the verification system before you get to the airport and you will also be delayed a bit while TSA agents verify your identity. Therefore, save yourself a hassle and get yourself what you need!

If you aren't sure what an acceptable form of ID is these days, you can see a full list on the TSA's website. Safe travels!