Americans attempting to clear airport security checkpoints without a Real ID or a passport will soon be charged $45 , the Transportation Security Administration announced Monday.

The new fee will go into effect on Feb. 1, TSA leaders said. The agency teased a potential $18 fee in federal paperwork last month, but eventually decided on a significantly higher number.

“The fee was necessary because we needed to modernize the system. We needed to make sure that the system is safe ,” Steve Lorincz, TSA’s deputy executive assistant administrator for security operations, told ABC News.

After decades of delays, Real ID requirements finally went into effect back in May, but travelers were still allowed to fly without the upgraded identity cards .

However, TSA officials signaled their pl

See Full Page