You no longer have to take your shoes off at a U.S. airport checkpoint. The Department of Homeland Security announced the change on July 8, 2025, ending a requirement that had been in place since 2006. Officers can still ask you to remove your shoes if you need additional screening, so keep them easy to slip off.
What Changed
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the change at a press briefing at Reagan National Airport. Her words: "TSA will no longer require travelers to remove their shoes when they go through our security checkpoints." The rule applies to all passengers at U.S. airports. Before it, only TSA PreCheck travelers could keep their shoes on.
The change began showing up at a handful of airports the day before the announcement and was in place nationwide after it.
When You May Still Be Asked
The change isn't a guarantee. Officers keep their discretion. You can still be asked to remove your shoes if:
- You need additional screening for any reason
- Something alarms at the body scanner or metal detector
- Your footwear obstructs the scan
Wear shoes you can take off quickly, and don't be surprised if an officer asks.
What Else Is the Same at the Checkpoint
Standard screening still includes an ID check, a body scanner or metal detector, and an X-ray of your carry-on. PreCheck lanes are where you keep electronics and liquids in your bag, as listed below.
Check Your ID
REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025. For a domestic flight you need a driver's license or ID with a star or the word "Enhanced," or a U.S. passport. If you arrive without an acceptable ID, TSA says you must pay a $45 fee through TSA ConfirmID.
The shoe change and REAL ID are separate rules. Keeping your shoes on doesn't depend on which ID you carry.
What TSA PreCheck Still Gives You
PreCheck is still faster and simpler than the standard lane. TSA lists these benefits:
- Leave electronics in your bag
- Keep your 3-1-1 liquids in your bag
- Keep your belt, light jacket and shoes on
- Most PreCheck lane passengers wait less than 10 minutes
TSA says no one is guaranteed expedited screening. Enrollment is $85 or less for five years, depending on the provider, and you add your Known Traveler Number to your airline reservations to get PreCheck on your boarding pass. Confirm the current fee with the enrollment provider before you apply.
Next Step
Check your ID before your next flight, and wear shoes that slip on and off easily. If you fly often, apply for PreCheck so you also keep electronics and liquids in your bag.
Updated October 19, 2026: TSA shoe policy.
