Do You Need a License to Fly a Drone? (Drone Licensing Guide) (2023)

Whether or not you need a license to fly a drone depends on the weight of your drone and how you plan to use it. In the US, drones that weigh less than 250 grams do not require a license for recreational use. However, all drones must be registered with the FAA.

As you know drones are very popular in this era, but with that popularity has come a need for regulation. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration has established rules governing the use of drones.

One of the most common questions people have is Do You Need a License to Fly a Drone. Well, the answer to that question depends on a few factors, including the weight of the drone and how it will be used.

In general, drones that weigh less than 250 grams do not require a license for recreational use. However, all drones must be registered with the FAA.

In this post, I will discuss the different types of drone licenses, how to get a license and the restrictions that apply to fly drones. I will also provide some tips for flying drones safely and responsibly.

Do You Need a License to Fly a Drone?

The requirement for a license to fly a drone depends on the location and purpose of the flight. In the United States, if you want to fly your drone under the FAA’s small UAS Rule (Part 107), you must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA.

This certificate demonstrates that you understand the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying drones¹.

When flying your drone indoors, there’s no requirement for a remote pilot’s license, and registering your drone with the FAA might not be necessary. If you fly your drone outdoors for recreational purposes then you will need to register the device if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds².

In Canada, you need a drone pilot license to fly drones that weigh 250 grams up to and including 25 kilograms. To obtain a basic license, you must be at least 14 years old, while an advanced license requires a minimum age of 16. Children under the age of 14 should be under the supervision of someone holding a valid license³.

It is important to note that while you may not need an FAA license to fly a drone, you do need a certificate. Those flying a drone recreationally need a TRUST certificate, and commercial drone operators need a Part 107 certificate(sometimes referred to as a drone pilot license)⁴.

If you intend to use your drone for purposes other than recreation, it’s mandatory to hold a Part 107 license issued by the FAA.

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What are the different types of drone licenses?

The types of drone licenses vary depending on the country and the purpose of the flight. In the United States, the FAA offers a Remote Pilot Certificate under its small UAS Rule (Part 107) for commercial drone operations.

This certificate demonstrates that the pilot understands the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying drones as I have told you before⁵.

Now let’s talk about Canada. In Canada, there are two types of drone licenses: Basic and Advanced. The Basic license only requires the completion of an online basic written exam and allows drone operations in uncontrolled airspace.

The advanced license requires an advanced written exam and a flight review, and allows drone operations in controlled airspace and near people⁶. ⁷

In the UK, there are two types of drone licenses: The A2 Certificate of Competency (CofC) and the Operational Authorisation. The A2 CofC is for operations within the Open Category, while the Operational Authorisation is for operations within the Specific Category⁸.

So, it is important to note that different countries have different regulations and requirements for drone licenses, so it is important to check with the relevant authorities in your location before flying a drone.

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How do I get a drone license?

Let me tell you one thing, the process of obtaining a drone license varies depending on the country you are in. In the United States, if you want to fly your drone under the FAA’s Small UAS Rule, you must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA.

So, now I am going to share with you the steps to get the license in the USA, and if you want to about else countries comment down below.

Here are some steps to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate in the United States.

Obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile before registering for a knowledge test⁹.

Arrange an appointment with an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. Please be sure to bring a government-issued photo ID to your test¹⁰.

The next step is to pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test. Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG). Next, complete FAA Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate using the electronic FAA Integrated Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application System (IACRA).

The fifth step is, a confirmation email will be sent when you have completed the TSA security background check. This email will contain guidance on how to print a temporary remote pilot certificate from IACRA.

And the last step is, a permanent remote pilot certificate will be sent via mail once all other FAA-internal processing is complete.

Please make sure that you are following the right steps in your country because different countries have different regulations and requirements for obtaining a drone license.

What are the restrictions on flying a drone?

It is very important to know what are the restrictions because if you don’t know them then you will be in a lot of trouble.

The restrictions on flying a drone also vary depending on the country you are in. In the USA, the FAA has put in place rules for flying drones.

Some of the rules are flying at or below 400 fees, keeping your drone within sight, not flying in restricted airspace, not flying near aircraft, especially near airports, not flying over groups of people, not flying over stadiums or sporting events, not flying near emergency response efforts such as fires, and not flying under the influence¹¹.

In the UK, when flying your drone, it must always remain in an unaided visual line of sight and fly no more than an altitude of 400ft (120m) and a distance of 500m (1640ft). You should never fly closer than 50m (150ft) to people or properties¹².

If your drone possesses a camera, excluding toy drones, or weighs 250g or more, registration with the CAA is mandatory.

So these are some restrictions and I would highly recommend that you visit the official website of your country and understand everything from there.

What are the penalties for violating drone laws?

Just like other requirements the penalties for violating drone laws vary depending on the country and the specific violation. In the USA, the FAA can issue fines to drone pilots for violating regulations. For example, in December 2020, the FAA issued a $182,000 fine to a drone pilot for multiple violations of Part 107. which included at least 26 violations¹³.

The FAA can also target drone pilots who interfere with first responders such as fire fighting aircraft, law enforcement efforts, or medical flights. These pilots may face serious civil penalties, including revocation or suspension of a pilot certificate and up to a $20,000 civil penalty per violation¹⁴.

In Australia, if you interfere with a drone or your drone becomes a hazard to other aircraft, you can fined up to $37,901 or sent to jail for up to two years. States and territories may have extra laws and penalties that apply to improper use of drones¹⁵.

What drones can I use without a license?

You know what, the requirement for a license to fly a drone depends on the location and purpose of the flight. In the USA, if you are using a drone solely for recreation, you are exempt from the rules of obtaining a drone pilot’s license.

However, every drone needs to be registered and have a registration number, regardless of its use¹⁶.

If your drone weighs less than 0.55 lbs, it does not need to be registered with the FAA. There are a lot of drones out there that are exempt from the registration requirement, and most of them are toy drones.

Some more sophisticated mini drones are also lightweight enough to dodge the registration requirement¹⁷.

So, it is important to note that while you may not need an FAA license to fly a drone, you do need a certificate. Those flying a drone recreationally need a TRUST certificate, and commercial drone operators need a Part 107 certificate¹⁸.

If your drone usage extends beyond recreation, obtaining a Part 107 license from the FAA is obligatory.

Do you need a drone license to fly drones as a hobby?

I am again telling you this law can also be something else in your country but in the USA, if you are flying a drone purely as a hobby and for solely recreational reasons, you do not need to obtain a remote pilot license.

However, you will need to register your drone with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds¹⁹.

While you may not need an FAA license to fly a drone, you do need a certificate. Recreational drone flyers require a TRUST certificate, while commercial drone operators must hold a Part 107 certificate.

Please make sure that you check the legal rules of your country and let me clarify that your country’s rules are different than the USA. For example, in the UK, you do not need a license to fly a drone, but you do have legal responsibilities.

The regulations for drones differ based on the type of drone you own and your intended flying location.

Can I fly a DJI mini without a license?

Yes, you can fly a DJI Mavic Mini without having to register it with the government in the US and many other regions. The DJI Mavic Mini weighs just 249 grams, which is below the weight threshold for drone registration in many countries²⁰.

However, it is important to note that the regulations regarding drone licensing and registration vary depending on the country and region you are in.

In the USA and Australia, you only need a license if you use your DJI Mini for commercial activities. In the UK, you may need to get a Flyer ID, an Operator ID, or both²¹.

I would highly recommend that you should familiarize yourself with the regulations in your region before flying your drone.

Important FAQs

Final Thoughts

In summary, the need for a drone license varies by country and the purpose of your drone usage. In the United States, recreational drone users typically don’t require a pilot’s license but must register their drones with the FAA.

However, for commercial operations, obtaining a Part 107 certificate is essential. Canada, the UK, and other countries have their own regulations and licensing systems. It’s crucial for drone enthusiasts to research and comply with the specific rules in their region to ensure safe and legal flying.

Remember, even as a hobbyist, understanding the restrictions and responsibilities associated with drone use is vital to enjoying this exciting technology responsibly.

Read More:

• Do You Need a License to Fly a Drone for Real Estate? (2023)
• Can You Fly a Drone in Class E Airspace? (Everything You Need to Know)
• Can You Fly a Drone in Class B Airspace? (Rules, Risks, and Regulations Explained)
• Can You Shoot Down a Drone in Georgia Country?
• Can You Fly a Drone Over Private Property in Georgia Country?

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