CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - For travelers without a REAL ID, they are going to have to pay more money to fly starting next year.

this week that starting Feb. 1, 2026, travelers who do not have a REAL ID will have to pay a $45 fee to fly.

WBTV dug deeper into the reason behind the fee, and talked with people getting their REAL ID at the West Charlotte DMV.

Some people were happy they got the new ID taken care of so now they won’t be subject to the extra fee if they travel in 2026 and beyond. They didn’t agree, though, with TSA’s decision to make people pay even more on top of already expensive trips.

Cynthia Smith said she waited for months, looking for an appointment to get a REAL ID.

“This is my lunch break, so I’m trying to do it in between my lunch break so it won’t affect my pay,” sh

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