Country guide · UK Civil Aviation Authority
Drone rules in United Kingdom
Where can I fly?
Registration
Drones under 250g without a camera do not require an Operator ID. Camera drones of any weight require registration.
All drones 250g or above require an Operator ID regardless of camera. Annual fee £12.34/year. Rules effective 1 January 2026.
Pilot test / certificate
No Flyer ID required for drones under 250g without a camera.
Free online theory test required. Camera drones of any weight and all drones 250g or above require Flyer ID. Rules effective 1 January 2026.
Marking & altitude
Required from 100 g — Operator ID must be displayed on the drone. Required for camera drones 100g or above, and all drones 250g or above regardless of camera. Rules effective 1 January 2026.
120m AGL maximum. Must not fly within 150m of congested areas or 50m of uninvolved people in certain sub-categories.
Key restrictions
- Read the Drone Code before every flight: https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/
- Do not fly within 5km of an airport without permission
- Check NATS Drone Assist app for airspace and no-fly zones
- Never fly over or near crowds, prisons, power stations, or emergency operations
- From 1 January 2026: camera drones weighing 100g or above require both Operator ID and Flyer ID. Drones under 100g without a camera are exempt.
Official apps
Drone Assist — operated by Altitude Angel (an Indra company), recognised by the CAA.