🇬🇧United Kingdom

A UK2 drone is under 4 kg and height-limited to 120 m (or has a selectable height limiter).

A UK3 drone is under 25 kg, under 3 m across, and height-limited to 120 m.

A UK4 drone is under 25 kg and is manually flown - no automatic flight modes beyond basic stabilisation and lost-link assistance.

If your drone is class-marked for UK open-category use, it must be a UK0 to UK4 marked aircraft, come with its declaration of conformity and carry the class label. UK law uses UK class labels, not the EU C0 to C4 labels.

If you fly a UK1, UK2, or UK3 class drone, you must input your Remote ID and ensure the Remote ID broadcast function is switched on before flight, starting from 1 January 2026.

A small control line model aircraft is a fixed-wing model drone weighing no more than 7.5 kg that is physically attached to the ground or to you by a line/cable no longer than 25 metres while flying.

A UK1 drone is under 900 g (or meets the 80 J impact-energy test), limited to 19 m/s and 120 m.

A UK0 drone weighs under 250 g, tops out at 19 m/s and 120 m, and is electric only.

If you attach a camera, light, or other payload, weigh the drone to ensure it does not exceed the maximum takeoff mass (MTOM) set by the manufacturer or the drone's class limit.

The regulation governing drone product standards and third-country operators has been in effect since 1 July 2019.

Your drone must either be class-marked, privately built, fall under transitional provisions (Article 20A), weigh less than 100g, or meet specific Annex criteria to be used in the Open category.

In the UK, shop-bought open-category drones carry a UK class label (UK0 to UK6), not the EU C-class label. Drones you build yourself are outside this labelling regime.

Drones under 100 g are outside the UK product/class-marking rules, and so are drones designed only for indoor use.

A crowd is any group of people packed closely enough that they cannot easily scatter or move away if your drone fails (e.g., at sports events, shopping areas, or busy beaches).

Your operation falls into the 'certified' category if you are flying over assemblies of people, transporting people, or carrying high-risk dangerous goods, and your drone is certified for these operations.

If you have people helping or involved in your A2 or A3 flight, they must be briefed on the risks and explicitly agree to take part.

Look around your flying site to identify obstacles and people. You do not need to check for uninvolved persons if flying certain lightweight or legacy drones in the A1 subcategory.

You can fly as close as 5 metres horizontally to uninvolved people if you turn on your drone's low-speed mode and have assessed that the weather, drone performance, and ground area segregation make it safe to do so.

You must never fly over a crowd of people, even if your drone is under 250g or has a C0/C1 class marking.

As you fly higher, increase your horizontal distance from people. If you are at 100m height, you should stay at least 100m away horizontally from people.

Keep your drone at a safe distance from people and never fly over crowds or assemblies of people.

Keep at least 50m away horizontally from any uninvolved people (including people in vehicles or buildings). You cannot fly directly over them, even if you are higher than 50m.

You must keep your class UK2 drone at least 30 metres horizontally away from any uninvolved people, unless you activate low speed mode and meet specific safety conditions.

Before taking off, you must check airspace maps and local sources for any active flight restrictions or hazards that could affect your flight.

Before flying, look out for cranes, masts, wires, or other tall structures. If their presence means your flight cannot be conducted safely or legally, do not fly.

The aviation regulations you follow in the UK are aligned with international ICAO standards, except where the UK has specifically filed a difference.

Aircraft operated for military, customs, or police purposes are classified as State aircraft rather than civil aircraft.

If you are operating a State aircraft (such as military, customs, or police), you cannot fly over another country's territory without obtaining explicit permission first.

When flying a drone in the UK, your operation must be as safe as a manned flight in the same airspace and must not pose any greater risk to people or property on the ground or in the air.

Check airspace maps and notices to ensure you are not planning to fly into restricted airspace.

You must follow the specific rules of any flight restriction zones or geographical zones you are operating in.

Do not fly near accidents, fires, search and rescue operations, or other emergency scenes unless the emergency services have given you permission.

To obtain an operational authorisation, you must provide all information required by UAS.SPEC.030(3) and have a coordination procedure with the air traffic service provider if you plan to fly in controlled airspace.

The runway threshold is the official start of the landing area, as published in official aviation notifications or the UK military AIP.

If the aerodrome has no active ATC or FIS unit (for example, outside their operating hours or at an un-towered licensed airfield), you must obtain permission directly from the aerodrome operator.

You must not fly a drone in a space site's flight restriction zone unless the site operator has granted permission.

The operating hours of an ATC or FIS unit are those officially published (notified) or listed in the UK military Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).

These definitions of runway protection zones and additional boundary zones only apply to certified, Government, or national licensed aerodromes that have an active aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ).

The London Heliport and other specifically prescribed runway thresholds do not have runway protection zones.

A runway protection zone is a 5 km long by 1 km wide rectangle starting at the runway threshold and extending outwards, reaching from the surface up to 2,000 feet above the aerodrome level.

For protected aerodromes without an ATZ, the FRZ is a circle with a 2 nautical mile radius centered on the mid-point of the longest runway, extending from the ground up to 2,000 feet.

The additional boundary zone is the airspace up to 2,000 feet above the aerodrome level within a 1 km buffer zone around the aerodrome boundary, excluding areas already covered by the ATZ or runway protection zones.

The flight restriction zone around a protected space site is a cylinder of airspace starting at the ground and extending up to 2,000 feet, with a radius of 5 kilometres centred on the middle of the site's largest launch pad.

You should expect flight restrictions around sensitive locations like prisons, military bases, royal palaces, and government buildings. Always check airspace maps and local restrictions before flying near these areas.

Temporary airspace restrictions (such as temporary restricted areas or NOTAMs) are often put in place to protect the public during major events like airshows and festivals, or for security during political conferences. Always check for active temporary restrictions before your flight.

Land your drone safely and immediately if an emergency happens nearby, unless emergency services explicitly give you permission to continue.

If emergency services are responding to an incident (such as a road accident, fire, or flood), you must stay clear and ensure your drone does not interfere with their operations.

Check for and obey any temporary airspace restrictions or local instructions established around an emergency.

Before you fly, check the area for physical signs prohibiting drone flights, and use drone apps, the NATS website, or the AIP to check for temporary restrictions (NOTAMs) and permanent airspace hazards.

In drone operations, the traditional manned aviation concept of 'See and Avoid' is called 'Detect and Avoid'.

Paper aeroplanes are not legally considered unmanned aircraft, so they are not subject to drone regulations.

An aircraft is any machine that flies by reacting with the air (excluding ground-effect vehicles).

At Heathrow Airport, the runway protection zones are wider than standard, measuring 1.5 km across instead of 1 km.

If a protected aerodrome has an ATZ, its FRZ includes the ATZ itself, plus runway protection zones and any additional boundary zones.

Before flying any part of your flight within the flight restriction zone (FRZ) of a protected space site, you must obtain permission from the operator of that space site, unless your drone is subject to certification.

If there is no ATC unit (or it is closed) but a Flight Information Service (FIS) unit is operating, you must obtain permission from the FIS unit to fly in the FRZ.

The extended runway centre line is an imaginary straight line extending out from both ends of the runway along its centreline.

If the aerodrome has an active Air Traffic Control (ATC) unit and you are flying during its operational hours, you must get permission from ATC.

As an operator, you must ensure your drone is not flown within an aerodrome's flight restriction zone (FRZ) unless you have secured permission from the relevant aerodrome authority.

Always keep an eye and ear out for other aircraft, such as air ambulances, police helicopters, and light aircraft. Be prepared to take immediate action to keep out of their way.

Be extremely vigilant for emergency helicopters or planes and land or move away immediately to avoid hindering them.

You cannot fly at or near an airport without getting direct permission from the airport itself. Similarly, other restricted airspaces require permission before entry.

Regulations governing military, customs, or police flights are designed with 'due regard' to ensure they do not endanger civil flights.

If you see or hear a low-flying aircraft, immediately lower your altitude or land. If the aircraft is landing, land your drone immediately.

A protected space site is a spaceport (as defined in the Space Industry Act 2018) or a mobile sea installation used for spacecraft landings, provided it is not a standard licensed, certified, or Government aerodrome.

If you are flying a certified-category unmanned aircraft, you do not need to obtain the aerodrome FRZ permission described in this article.

Check with a doctor or pharmacist if your medication affects your ability to drive or operate machinery. If so, do not fly.

Do not attempt to fly your drone while driving a vehicle, messaging, or making phone calls.

Do not consume alcohol before or during flight. You must be completely sober to operate your drone or model aircraft safely.

If you let someone else fly your drone, you must check that they have a valid Flyer ID or the correct competence certificate.

Do not trespass to retrieve your drone. Ask the landowner for permission first.

If you fly someone else's drone, the operator must tell you how to fly safely, to follow the manufacturer's instructions, and clarify who is responsible for tasks like software updates.

You must be familiar with your drone's manual and hold the correct pilot competency certificate (A1/A3 or A2) for your flight.

If operating in the certified category, the drone must be certified, the operator must hold a certificate, and you may need a specific remote pilot license.

Keep your eyes on the drone at all times, watch for other aircraft, and land immediately if you detect any danger to people, animals, or other aircraft.

You must be formally designated as the remote pilot for the flight by the operator.

You must not fly your drone inside a Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) unless permission has been granted by the aerodrome's ATC, FIS, or operator.

If you fly a tethered drone weighing less than 250g, you must still follow basic safety rules: keep it within VLOS, do not exceed the maximum operating height, perform safety checks, be fit to fly, respect geographical zones, and avoid emergency response areas.

If you are under 13 years old, you must have a parent or guardian with you when you take the online test and register for your Flyer ID.

If your drone has a geo-awareness system, you are responsible for keeping its airspace database up to date so that it can accurately warn you of restricted areas.

You must always be in control of your drone, unless you lose connection (lost link) or are flying a free-flight model.

You must complete the required training for your subcategory of operation and keep your proof of competency with you while flying.

Do not fly if you have consumed alcohol, taken impairing medication, or if you are tired, sick, or injured.

You can use a drone observer to help you keep track of the drone and scan the sky, but you must have a clear and reliable way to talk to each other.

If your tethered drone weighs 250g or more, you must hold and carry proof of pilot competency, maintain required horizontal distances from uninvolved persons, buildings, and certain areas, and comply with standard height, VLOS, and geo-zone rules.

Before you can fly a drone that requires you to have a Flyer ID, you must take and pass the CAA's online theory test.

Both children and adults can take the test and obtain a Flyer ID as there is no age limit.

If you obtained your Flyer ID under the older regulations, it will only be valid for 3 years. You can check your expiration date in the My registration area.

Your Flyer ID is valid for 5 years. You will need to retake and pass the online theory test to renew it when it expires.

If flying at night, turn on a green flashing light on your aircraft so others can see it.

If you are flying at night and your drone doesn't have a built-in green flashing light, you must securely attach a specialist green flashing light to it before flying.

When checking which rules apply to your drone, remember to include the weight of the green flashing light you attached for night flying in the total weight.

If you fly at night, you must turn on a flashing green light on your drone so it is visible.

If you use a drone under 20kg for any reason other than pure fun (such as getting paid for photos/videos, or using it for work on a farm or estate), you must have third-party liability insurance.

Do not fly your drone if it is likely to disturb or put animals or wildlife in danger.

You must check airspace maps for Flight Restriction Zones (FRZs) and obtain permission from the airport, airfield, or spaceport control before flying inside them.

Your operator must provide you with information about any airspace restrictions or restricted areas where you plan to fly.

Ensure the drone's geo-awareness database is updated with the latest airspace data before flying.

Check local signs and contact local authorities to find out if there are byelaws restricting drone flights in the area, as these are often not on drone apps.

When flying near or in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), check online for local byelaws or look for signs on-site. Follow any restrictions to avoid disturbing wildlife.

The Drone Code only covers basic flying in the A1 and A3 sub-categories. If you want to fly closer to people, over crowds, or at different heights/distances than allowed by the Code, you must get authorisation from the CAA first.

To get your CAA authorisation, your operation must be assessed using either a pre-defined risk assessment (PDRA) or a full UK SORA.

If you need to vary an active ORA authorisation, make a SORA administrative modification, or apply for an Alt-MoC (agreed with the CAA), you must use this specific application form.

The CAA is responsible for issuing permissions, safety notices, and conducting enforcement, but does not perform research and development.

The CAA does not conduct R&D; this is the responsibility of the drone industry.

The term 'without a pilot' refers specifically to having no pilot physically on board the aircraft, which applies directly to all drone and unmanned aircraft operations.

If you are developing novel drone technology, it is highly recommended to discuss your plans with the CAA Innovation Team early on.

If your flight cannot comply with the basic Open category rules (such as weight limits, distance from people, or altitude), you must obtain an operational authorisation from the CAA before flying.

The CAA will only grant your authorisation if they are satisfied that your risk mitigations are sufficient.

To get an operational authorisation, a risk assessment must be completed and submitted to the CAA showing how risks will be mitigated.

Your operational authorisation will clearly state the exact scope and limits of what you are allowed to do.

The tether holding your drone must not be longer than 25 metres unless your operator has a specific permission from the CAA.

If you belong to a recognised drone or model aircraft club, your membership might grant you special permissions to fly in ways or areas normally restricted. Always check your club's specific rules and conditions before flying.

If your flight is too complex for the Open Category, you must obtain an operational authorisation from the CAA before you can fly in the Specific Category.

If you are applying for a simplified PDRA-based Operational Authorisation in the UK, PDRA01 is currently your only option.

From 23 April 2025, the old OSC method is replaced by UK SORA for new operational authorisation applications.

If your flight plans (such as BVLOS, flying close to crowds, or flying above 120m) don't fit into PDRA01, you must use the UK SORA process to apply for your authorisation.

If your flight meets all the requirements of the 'open' category, you do not need to apply for or obtain an operational authorization from the CAA before flying.

If you are flying an unmanned aircraft over the territory of a Contracting State, you must obtain special authorisation from that State.

To fly in the 'specific' category, you must ensure the operation is covered by an operational authorization issued by the CAA, or is conducted under a model aircraft club/association authorization.

You cannot fly in the specific category without an operational authorisation from the CAA, unless your organisation holds a Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) that permits the flight.

If the operation or its safety mitigation measures change significantly from what is written in your authorisation, a new application must be submitted to the CAA before flying under those new conditions.

You may fly outside of standard height, distance, overflight, or VLOS limits only if your operator holds a specific permission from the CAA allowing this.

If your organisation holds an LUC with the right privileges, you do not need a separate operational authorisation for flights covered by those privileges.

An operational authorisation will specify whether it is for a single flight, a series of flights in certain times/locations, or an LUC approval.

If you are flying within a model aircraft club or association that has an Article 16 authorisation, you do not need a separate operational authorisation.

If your operation fits a standard scenario, you can submit a declaration instead of applying for a full operational authorisation.

If you are involved in or witness a near miss or serious incident, report it to the CAA via the ECCAIRS SRIS service (anonymously if preferred).

You must keep your drone in direct visual sight at all times, unless you are in follow-me mode or using a drone observer as allowed by the rules.

Under PDRA01, you can fly drones weighing between 250g and 25kg within your visual line of sight anywhere in the UK (including built-up areas), provided you respect airspace restrictions.

The open category is split into A1 (Over People), A2 (Near People), and A3 (Far from People) based on operational, pilot, and technical requirements.

Your operator must have established procedures for how flights are conducted, matching the risk of the flight.

Ensure your radio equipment and links are operating properly to avoid causing or receiving harmful radio interference.

Always fly your drone according to the user manual and respect its operational limits (such as wind speed or temperature limits).

If your company or organization has specific flight procedures or checklists, you must follow them.

The rules governing drone operations and drone technical standards in the UK are split into two main regulations: Regulation 2019/947 (operational rules) and Regulation 2019/945 (product standards).

Be aware that changes to drone rules in the EU do not automatically apply in the UK. You must follow the UK-specific versions of the regulations.

You cannot fly a drone weighing 25 kg or more in the Open category.

Every drone flight you conduct must fit into either the Open, Specific, or Certified category, depending on the risk and operational parameters.

The main operational rules for flying drones in the UK have been in effect since 31 December 2020.

Aircraft and payload mass is expressed in kilograms (kg), or in grams (g) if the weight is under 1kg.

The Open category is split into three sub-categories (A1, A2, A3) which have different operational rules.

'Must' indicates a mandatory requirement. 'Should' indicates a strong obligation requiring clear justification if not complied with. 'May' indicates discretion. 'Describe' or 'explain' means you must provide logical arguments and evidence to justify a choice or action.

Always check if you can perform your flight under the simpler Open Category rules before looking into the Specific Category.

Obstruction heights (such as buildings or masts) are expressed in metres (m) in this document.

Speeds are normally written in knots (kt). If a speed is below 50kt, it may also be shown in metres per second (m/s).

When reading CAP 722, aircraft heights and altitudes are specified in feet (ft).

For definitions of terms and abbreviations used in UK drone regulations, refer to CAP 722D.

Distances under 5000 metres are expressed in metres (m), while distances of 5000 metres or more are expressed in kilometres (km).

Nautical miles (nm) are used for navigation, airspace plotting, and ATC separation distances.

You must not carry any dangerous goods on your drone, and you are not allowed to drop anything from it during flight.

You must not drop anything from the tethered drone, nor carry any dangerous goods on it.

If you are flying an unmanned sailplane weighing less than 10 kg, you can fly higher than 120 metres from the ground below it, as long as you never fly higher than 120 metres above your own position.

If you are flying within 50 metres of an artificial obstacle that is taller than 105 metres, you can fly up to 15 metres above the top of that obstacle, but only if the person or entity responsible for the obstacle has requested it.

Do not fly higher than 120 meters (approx. 400 feet) from the closest point of the ground, unless you are overflying an obstacle as specified in the rules.

You must keep your drone within 120m (400ft) of the ground directly below it. If you fly over a valley or cliff, you must adjust your altitude to maintain this limit relative to the closest point of the earth's surface.

You must keep your drone within 120 metres (393 feet) of the closest point of the ground, adjusting for hills, mountains, or valleys.

Even if your operation doesn't meet the standard 'certified' criteria, the CAA can still require it to be in the 'certified' category (requiring pilot licensing) if they determine the risks are too high to mitigate otherwise.

You must know and follow the specific operational procedures set by your UAS operator.

Your operator must ensure the tethered drone is registered, displays its registration number, has a designated remote pilot, has updated geo-awareness data, and that safety occurrences are reported.

Violating the rules on tethered drone operations (such as flying without meeting safety requirements, dropping items, or exceeding tether length) is a legal offence.

For the purposes of these rules, any reference to a drone or UAS in the main regulations also applies to tethered drones.

If you fly in the Open category, you must register as an operator if your drone weighs 250g or more, can transfer more than 80 Joules of energy on impact, or weighs 100g or more and has a camera.

If you operate any drone in the Specific category, you must be registered as an operator, regardless of how light or small the drone is.

You must register with the CAA and keep your details up to date. You must be at least 18 years old to get an operator registration number.

The application submitted by your organisation must contain detailed risk assessments, mitigation measures, operator registration details, and, if necessary, an operations manual and proof of insurance.

You do not need to register as an operator if you are only flying a small control line model aircraft in the open category, or in the specific category under an Article 16 club/association authorisation.

If you fly a drone under 20kg purely for fun or as a hobby, you are not required to have insurance, but you can still be held personally liable for any damage or injury you cause.

If your drone weighs 20kg or more, you must have third-party insurance. This is a legal requirement even if you only fly it for fun or as a hobby.

UK drone laws are split across two main frameworks: the UK Basic Regulation (derived from EU law) and the Air Navigation Order 2016.

When operating in the UK, ensure you are following the UK domestic versions of the regulations (Assimilated EU law), as they are no longer identical to the regulations active in the EU.

If you own a drone that is subject to certification, you must register the aircraft itself (not just yourself as an operator) and display nationality and registration marks.

As the operator, you must keep the drone safe to fly. This means following the manufacturer's maintenance guide and keeping the firmware up to date.

If you are operating a military UAS, your operations are under the jurisdiction of the Military Aviation Authority (MAA), not the CAA.

An unmanned aircraft is any drone or model aircraft designed to fly either autonomously or via remote control without a pilot inside.

When calculating the weight or operating characteristics of your electric drone, the batteries are treated as part of the aircraft itself, and the battery charge is treated as its fuel.

The CAA is the official regulator and competent authority for civilian drone operations in the UK.

Perform a pre-flight inspection of your drone to ensure it is safe, and make sure your Remote ID is turned on and updated if your drone has it.

You must stay at least 150m away from built-up areas, parks, beaches, and industrial sites unless your drone is under 250g or has a UK0, UK1, or C0 class marking.

If a building is standing alone (more than 50m from other buildings), you do not need to stay 150m away, but you must still stay at least 50m away from it.

Do not use your drone's camera to film or photograph victims or emergency responders at an incident.