UK CAA rules
Do I need a drone licence?
There is no UK 'drone licence' as such: what you need is registration, and it turns on weight and camera, not on whether you fly for fun or for money. Under 250g with no camera means nothing to register; add a camera and you need an Operator ID; at 250g and over you add the free Flyer ID theory test. Answer three questions to see your position.
Question 1
How much does your drone weigh, in grams?
Take-off mass as you fly it: battery, camera and any accessories included. The figure is on the box or the maker's spec page.
What this checks
- Operator ID and Flyer ID registration under UK CAA rules
- The under-250g camera split, Operator ID without Flyer ID
- Open category flying: A1, A2 and A3 distances
- Airports and flight restriction zones (FRZs)
- Fun vs paid flying, and why it no longer changes the requirements
- Drones over 25kg and the Specific category
Drone Licence Checker is an independent information site operated by Ellul Solutions Ltd. It is not affiliated with the Civil Aviation Authority or any government body, and nothing here is legal advice. UK drone rules, fees and class-mark transitions change frequently, confirm the current position on the CAA's own pages before flying.
UK drone registration requirements by drone, 2026
Last updated
What each class of drone requires under UK CAA rules, the same logic the checker applies. Registration turns on weight and camera; flying for payment changes nothing.
Mapped from the CAA's UK drone rules (UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 as retained) and the CAA registration scheme at register-drones.caa.co.uk, as of the updated date above. The Operator ID fee and the under-250g Flyer ID position are flagged for verification because both change; class-mark transitional rules saw changes taking effect from 2026.
| Your drone | Operator ID | Flyer ID | Where you can fly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 250g, no camera, or a toy | No | No | Drone Code applies: in sight, below 120m, never in an FRZ without permission |
| Under 250g with a camera (not a toy) | Yes, around £11/yr (check fee) | Not required, recommended (verify current split) | A1: built-up areas and near people allowed, never over crowds |
| 250g to under 25kg | Yes, around £11/yr (check fee) | Yes, free online test | A1/A2/A3 by weight and class mark; A3 default: 150m from built-up areas |
| Any drone near an airport / in an FRZ | As per weight | As per weight | Only with permission from the aerodrome's air traffic unit |
| 25kg and over | Specific category | GVC route | Only under a CAA operational authorisation |
- A UK drone under 250g with a camera needs an Operator ID (around £11 a year) but not the Flyer ID test; at 250g and over, both are required.
- UK drone rules have not distinguished hobby from commercial flying since 2020: registration and category limits turn on weight, camera and location, not payment.
- No drone of any size may fly inside a UK airport's flight restriction zone without permission from the aerodrome's air traffic unit; doing so is a criminal offence.
Cite this page
“UK drone registration requirements by drone, 2026”, Drone Licence Checker, https://dronelicencechecker.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-14). Mapped from the CAA's UK drone rules (UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 as retained) and the CAA registration scheme at register-drones.caa.co.uk, as of the updated date above. The Operator ID fee and the under-250g Flyer ID position are flagged for verification because both change; class-mark transitional rules saw changes taking effect from 2026.
Need a qualification, or just a straight answer?
Tell us what you fly and where, and we'll introduce you to a CAA-recognised drone training provider for the A2 CofC or GVC, or point you at the right rule.
The questions we get
Do I need a licence to fly a drone in the UK?
There is no UK drone licence as such. Drones of 250g+ need an Operator ID (around £11 a year, fee changes) and a free Flyer ID theory test; a camera drone under 250g needs only the Operator ID. Paid flying does not change the requirements.
Does a drone under 250g need to be registered?
If it has a camera and is not a toy, yes: the operator needs an Operator ID, though the Flyer ID test is not required below 250g (recommended, and worth verifying, the split is periodically reviewed). With no camera, nothing needs registering.
How much does drone registration cost?
The Operator ID costs around £11 a year, check the exact current fee at register-drones.caa.co.uk as it changes. The Flyer ID theory test is free, taken online on the CAA's registration site, and one Operator ID covers all your drones.
Is commercial drone flying different from hobby flying?
Not any more. Since 2020 UK rules turn on weight, camera and where you fly, not payment. Commercial operators often hold an A2 CofC or GVC because they fly nearer people, but the qualification follows the flying, not the invoice.
Where can't I fly a drone?
Never inside an airport's flight restriction zone without permission, never above 120m (400ft), never over open-air crowds, and always within visual line of sight. Check an airspace app such as NATS Drone Assist before every flight; FRZ breaches are criminal offences.
What happens if I fly unregistered?
Flying a drone that needs registration without an Operator ID or Flyer ID is an offence; fines can reach £1,000 for registration breaches, and FRZ or endangerment offences carry far heavier penalties. Registration is cheap; check the current penalties on the CAA's site.
Check before you take off
Weight, camera, location: your requirements in under a minute.
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