New Drone Laws
You now must have a permit to legally fly any drone with a
camera onboard (regardless of the weight) anywhere in the UK
– even in your local park or your own garden!
Due to growing incidents of reckless and dangerous drone flying it is now illegal in the UK, since December 2020, to fly drones without being registered and / or authorised by the Civil Aviation Authority. You MUST register for a DMARES
”It is against the law to fly a drone or model aircraft without having the required IDs. You can also be fined for
breaking the law when flying. In the most serious cases, you could be sent to prison.” CAA
Check if a drone flyer is legally registered with CAA here
If you are thinking of using someone’s Drone services, as a favour or a paid service, please check they are legally registered with the CAA
We are more than happy for you to check us, please ask for details
These are strict legal requirements to fly a drone according to the new legislation. Flying as drone in the UK is covered by the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) regulations. You can be reported to the police and face a heavy fine or be sent to prison if you do not comply.
1) You must pass a theory test with the CAA if you’re flying a drone to get a Flyer ID
2) You must register for an Operator ID with the CAA if you own the drone.
3) If you are younger that 18 and flying a drone, you must get your parents to register for an Operator ID
4) The Operator ID MUST be attached to your drone and visible
Are you breaking the law . . . .
If your drone has a camera and you haven’t registered for a flyer IDor Operator ID then the answer is . . . . YES!
Once you have registered that’s only the start! There’s a whole set of new rules and regulations concerning where you can fly your drone; weight of your drone,
if you have any qualifications, risk assessment, uninvolved people, crowds, air space etc.
There are now set categories you can fly in;
OPEN CATEGORY | SPECIFIC CATEGORY | CERTIFIED CATEGORY
Most people will be flying in the Open category, however there are 3 three sub categories
which mainly dictate how close to other people you can fly.
If your drone weighs over 250g (MTOM Maximum take off mass) or has a camera (classed legally
now as not a ‘toy’ if a camera onboard) then the following will apply –
- MUST have a Operator ID and Flyer ID
- Cannot fly over uninvolved people or crowds
- No closer than 150m horizontally of residential, commercial, industrial or recreational (parks) areas.
- Qualification required
- Maximum height (for all drones) is 400ft
- Visual Line of Sight at all times – must be able to see it
Drones themselves also have to comply with a set of product standards after the 31st Dec 2022 similar to the ‘CE’ marking scheme. There will be 5 ‘classes’. if you already own a drone it will be classed as a ‘legacy’ drone and fall into the Open sub category A1 and A2.
