Enrolling in TSA PreCheck is getting more convenient in cities across the U.S. this fall.
Thanks to the expanded IdentoGO mobile enrollment push, travelers who want to join the Transportation Security Administration's expedited security screening program but don't want to schlep to the nearest airport can visit one of the pop-up enrollment trucks taking up temporary residence in locations throughout the country.
Housed in converted RVs, the mobile enrollment units are equipped to handle the fingerprinting and in-person interview portions of the PreCheck application process. You'll still need to fill out the official online application in advance and either schedule a reservation for the mobile site or pop in to the pop-up to snag a walk-in slot during business hours.
The IdentoGO trucks are run by Idemia, the same security-tech company that operates permanent TSA PreCheck enrollment centers.
According to the schedule of stops at the IdentoGO website, mobile enrollment RVs will be making appearances in Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, New York State, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Virginia through October.
In most cases, the PreCheck RVs will be parked outside AAA offices. Stops typically last 4 or 5 days at a time.
The map below shows the RV's initial tour stops for autumn.
Though schedule dates currently only go through October, you can check back in with IdentoGO's site to find out when the road show is headed your way. That's also where you'll find street addresses, operating hours, and other necessary details.
Note that the PreCheck enrollment RVs have stairs and are not wheelchair-accessible. To find a permanent enrollment center that is ADA-compliant, visit the TSA's online enrollment center locator.
As Afar points out, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been encouraging travelers to enroll in TSA PreCheck following a summer when many passengers endured seemingly eternal airport lines.
The federal agency recently posted an alert on its website recommending PreCheck over Global Entry—another, more comprehensive Trusted Traveler program—unless you "travel multiple times per year internationally."
Due to processing delays and limited interview slots, Global Entry applications can currently take up to 18 months to complete, according to the government. But "most TSA PreCheck applicants can schedule an appointment in less than 2 weeks and, if approved, can receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) in about 3 to 5 days after the appointment."
Enrollment in TSA PreCheck costs $85 and must be renewed every 5 years (for $70 if you renew online; $85 in person).
For more information, see our step-by-step guide to the application process or go to TSA.gov/PreCheck.
