# Drone Licence Checker

> Drone licence checker for UK CAA rules: a Flyer ID is required from 100g, and an Operator ID from 100g with a camera. Class marks and A1/A2/A3 limits, sourced.

## Key facts

- A UK Flyer ID is required from 100g, not 250g: below 100g the CAA only recommends it. The Operator ID is required from 100g where the drone has a camera, and for every drone of 250g or more.
- The UK Operator ID costs £12.34 a year and needs the holder to be 18 or over; the Flyer ID theory test is free and lasts five years.
- In the Far from People (A3) subcategory a UK drone must stay at least 50m from uninvolved people, 150m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas, and 50m from individual buildings.
- Any new model of drone placed on the UK market from 1 January 2026 must carry a UK class mark; European C class marks may be flown as the equivalent UK class until 31 December 2027.

## Key pages

- [Do I need a drone licence?](https://dronelicencechecker.co.uk/): the main tool, answer above the fold.
- [UK drone rules in 2026: registration, class marks, what changed](https://dronelicencechecker.co.uk/uk-drone-rules-2026/): The UK drone rules in 2026: the 100g Flyer ID threshold, the Open category's A1/A2/A3 limits, and the UK class marks now required on new models.
- [A1/A3 drone licence and A2 CofC: UK categories explained](https://dronelicencechecker.co.uk/a1-a2-a3-drone-categories/): The UK Open category's three subcategories set how close to people a drone may fly: A1 over people, A2 near people with a certificate, A3 far away.
- [Flying a drone near people in the UK: what's actually allowed](https://dronelicencechecker.co.uk/flying-drones-near-people/): When a drone may legally fly near people in the UK: A1 freedoms under 250g, the A2 CofC and its 30m/5m/50m distances, and the 150m A3 default.
- [UK drone registration and category requirements by drone](https://dronelicencechecker.co.uk/#data): original data table, updated 2026-08-15.
- [Full site content as markdown](https://dronelicencechecker.co.uk/llms-full.txt)

## Data

- UK drone registration and category requirements by drone. Methodology: Taken from the CAA's Open category guidance at caa.co.uk/drones, specifically the registration requirements, class marks and where-you-can-fly pages, all read on 15 August 2026. Fees and class mark transition dates are quoted as the CAA published them on that date.
- Last updated: 2026-08-15. Every figure cites its source inline.
- Source: CAA, registering to fly drones and model aircraft (ID requirements by weight): https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/open-category/getting-started-with-drones-and-model-aircraft/registering-to-fly-drones-and-model-aircraft/
- Source: CAA, get an Operator ID (fee and age): https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/open-category/getting-started-with-drones-and-model-aircraft/get-an-operator-id/
- Source: CAA, get a Flyer ID: https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/open-category/getting-started-with-drones-and-model-aircraft/get-a-flyer-id/
- Source: CAA, where you can fly (A1 and A3 rules and distances): https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/open-category/getting-started-with-drones-and-model-aircraft/where-you-can-fly/
- Source: CAA, class marks: https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/open-category/getting-started-with-drones-and-model-aircraft/class-marks/
- Source: CAA, introduction to more advanced flying (A2 rules): https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/open-category/moving-on-to-more-advanced-flying/introduction-to-more-advanced-flying/
- Source: CAA, the Drone and Model Aircraft Code: https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/open-category/drone-code/
- Source: NATS Drone Assist (airspace restrictions map): https://dronesafetymap.com/

## Citation

Cite as: "UK drone registration and category requirements by drone", Drone Licence Checker, https://dronelicencechecker.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-15).

## About

- Drone Licence Checker is an information site. 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.
- Operated by dronelicencechecker.co.uk. Contact: enquiries@dronelicencechecker.co.uk