For the first time in more than 20 years, passengers traveling in the United States will no longer have to remove their shoes at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.
Standard TSA Passengers No Longer Have To Remove Shoes at Security
While passengers with TSA PreCheck have been able to keep their shoes on for years, passengers using standard TSA checkpoints no longer need to remove their shoes during screening in most circumstances.
As of July 7, 2025, passengers possessing a REAL ID are no longer required to remove their shoes at security checkpoints. REAL ID compliant identification has been required to fly since May 7, 2025, which was finally implemented after years of delays, though passengers can still travel with non-compliant identification in some circumstances. Passengers with non-compliant identification are subject to additional screening.
This one of the most major changes to airport security in the United States that we’ve seen for quite some time and, this is certain to be popular with passengers who don’t already have TSA PreCheck.
The requirement to remove shoes was put in place after Richard Reid attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes during a flight between London and Detroit in 2001. The requirement went into effect in 2006.
While there has been no official announcement by the Transportation Safety Administration regarding the change in protocol, an internal memo has stated that the change is a result of enhanced screening capabilities and a reassessment of current threats. Once an official announcement has been made by the TSA, we will update this post to include any additional information.
Summary
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has quietly updated its operating procedures and most passengers are no longer required to remove their shoes at security checkpoints. This change comes as REAL ID requirements have gone into effect and additional screening capabilities have been introduced nationwide.