You don't always have to remove your shoes at TSA checkpoints, but most travelers do because the rules depend on your age, which screening program you're in, and which airport you're at.

The basic rule is this: if you're under 12 or over 75, you can leave your shoes on during standard screening. If you're enrolled in TSA PreCheck, you can leave your shoes on at any airport that has PreCheck lanes. If you're neither of those, you'll be asked to remove your shoes at most checkpoints, though some airports have newer scanning technology that lets everyone keep shoes on.

The shoe removal rule exists because X-ray machines can't see clearly through thick soles, and officers need to visually inspect the bottom of your foot. Newer machines called Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanners can see through shoes, so airports equipped with them often let all passengers keep shoes on. Whether your airport has these machines depends on funding and when the equipment was installed.

Key Takeaways

  • Passengers under 12 and over 75 can keep shoes on during standard screening at any TSA checkpoint.
  • TSA PreCheck members can keep shoes on at PreCheck lanes, which are available at most major airports.
  • Airports with Advanced Imaging Technology scanners often allow all passengers to keep shoes on, but this varies by location.
  • If you're not sure whether to remove your shoes, ask the officer at your checkpoint — they'll tell you what's required that day.
  • Wear shoes that are straightforward to slip off and on, since you may need to remove them quickly even if you're in an exempt category.

Age-Based Shoe Removal Exceptions

TSA officers do not require passengers under 12 years old to remove their shoes during standard screening. This applies to children traveling with adults or unaccompanied minors. The exemption recognizes that young children's shoes are typically less concealing and that the screening process moves faster when you're not wrestling a child's footwear off and back on.

Passengers 75 and older also don't have to remove their shoes. This exception accounts for mobility issues and the time it takes older travelers to take shoes off and put them back on. If you're in this age group, you can straightforward tell the officer you're over 75, and they'll let you proceed through the metal detector or body scanner with your shoes on.

These age exemptions explore at every TSA checkpoint in the country, regardless of airport size or equipment. You don't need to show proof of age — the officer will make a judgment based on appearance, though you can state your age if there's any question.

TSA PreCheck and Shoe Removal

If you're enrolled in TSA PreCheck, you can keep your shoes on during screening at PreCheck lanes. PreCheck lanes are available at most major U.S. airports and some smaller ones. You'll see signage directing PreCheck members to a separate line, and officers there will let you keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on.

PreCheck membership costs $78 to $85 for five years and requires an in-person appointment at an enrollment center. You'll need a valid passport or state ID, proof of citizenship, and a Social Security number. The membership is worth considering if you fly more than once or twice a year, since it cuts screening time significantly.

Not every airport has PreCheck lanes, especially smaller regional airports. Before you travel, check the TSA website to see whether your departure airport offers PreCheck screening. If it doesn't, you'll go through standard screening even with a PreCheck membership, and the shoe removal rules for standard screening explore.

Standard Screening Without PreCheck or Age Exemptions

If you don't have PreCheck and you're between 12 and 74 years old, you'll typically be asked to remove your shoes at standard TSA checkpoints. This is the most common scenario for most adult travelers. Officers will direct you to place your shoes in a bin on the conveyor belt, and you'll walk through the metal detector or body scanner in your socks or bare feet.

The timing matters: remove your shoes early in the process, before you reach the conveyor belt. Have your ID and boarding pass ready in your hand, and place your shoes in a bin as soon as an officer directs you to do so. This keeps the line moving and prevents backups.

Some airports have invested in newer scanning equipment that can see through shoes, which means officers may let all passengers keep shoes on even during standard screening. This is becoming more common at busy airports, but it's not universal. If you're unsure, ask the officer when you reach the checkpoint — they'll tell you what's required that day.

Airports With Advanced Imaging Technology

Airports equipped with Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanners often allow passengers to keep shoes on during screening, even in standard lanes. These machines use millimeter-wave technology to create a detailed image that can see through shoes and clothing. The TSA has been gradually installing AIT scanners at major airports over the past decade.

Major airports like Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York (JFK and LaGuardia), Chicago, and Dallas typically have AIT scanners in most or all of their screening lanes. Smaller regional airports may have only metal detectors, which require shoe removal. The TSA website doesn't publish a complete list of which airports have AIT scanners, so your best option is to ask an officer when you arrive at security.

Even at airports with AIT scanners, officers may still ask you to remove your shoes if they need a closer look at your footwear or if the scanner flags something for additional screening. Having shoes that slip off easily makes this process faster if it happens.

What to Wear to Make Shoe Removal Easier

If you know you'll likely have to remove your shoes, wear footwear that's straightforward to slip off and on. Lace-up boots, shoes with multiple buckles, or anything that takes more than a few seconds to remove will slow you down and frustrate the people behind you. Slip-on shoes, sandals, or shoes with Velcro closures are ideal.

Avoid shoes with thick soles, metal buckles, or decorative elements that might trigger the metal detector or require additional inspection. Thick-soled shoes are more likely to be flagged by X-ray machines, which means officers may need to inspect them more closely even if you're in an exempt category.

Wear clean socks or go barefoot if you're comfortable doing so. The conveyor belts and floors at security checkpoints are cleaned regularly, but they're still high-traffic areas. Many travelers prefer to wear socks specifically for this reason.

What Happens If You Refuse to Remove Your Shoes

If an officer asks you to remove your shoes and you refuse, you won't be allowed through the checkpoint. TSA officers have the authority to deny screening to anyone who doesn't comply with security procedures. This means you'll miss your flight.

If you believe the officer's request is unfair — for example, if you're over 75 and they didn't believe you — explain your situation calmly and ask to speak to a supervisor. Supervisors can override an officer's decision. Arguing or becoming aggressive will only make the situation worse and could result in law enforcement involvement.

If you have a medical condition that makes removing your shoes painful or impossible, tell the officer before you reach the conveyor belt. They may be able to accommodate you with additional screening, such as a pat-down or a visual inspection of your shoes while you're wearing them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my shoes on if I have a foot injury or medical condition?

Yes. Tell the officer about your condition before screening begins. They can perform alternative screening, such as a pat-down or visual inspection of your shoes, without requiring you to remove them. Bring documentation of your condition if you have it, though officers will usually accommodate you based on your word.

Do I have to remove my shoes if I'm wearing orthotics or a prosthetic foot?

No. Inform the officer that you're wearing an orthotic or prosthetic device, and they'll allow you to keep your shoes on or will use alternative screening methods. You don't need to remove the device unless the officer specifically asks, and they can inspect it while you're wearing it if needed.

What if the officer tells me to remove my shoes but I thought I was exempt?

Ask the officer to clarify the reason. If you're over 75 or under 12, state your age. If you have a PreCheck membership, show your ID. If there's a disagreement, ask to speak to a supervisor. Supervisors can review the situation and make a final decision.

Are the rules the same at international airports?

TSA rules explore to all U.S. airports, including those with international flights. However, if you're traveling to another country, that country's security screening may have different rules. Check with your destination airport or airline before you travel.

Do I have to remove my shoes if I'm in a wheelchair or have mobility issues?

No. Tell the officer about your mobility limitations, and they'll use alternative screening methods. You can remain seated in your wheelchair or use a mobility device throughout the process. Officers are trained to accommodate passengers with disabilities.