Can I fly a drone?
Yes — but flying a drone is regulated by the CAA, and you usually need to register. The basis is the Air Navigation Order 2016 and the CAA's Drone Code. Anyone flying a drone of 100g or more must pass the free online test for a Flyer ID (valid 5 years), and if the drone weighs 250g or more — or has a camera and weighs 100–250g — the responsible person needs an Operator ID (£12.34/year) labelled on the drone. Core flying rules: stay below 120m (400ft), keep the drone in direct line of sight, never fly over crowds, and stay well clear of airports and their Flight Restriction Zones (a criminal offence to breach). A new UK class-marking system applies to drones placed on the market from January 2026. In short: yes, with registration and the Drone Code.
📋 The rules
- Flyer ID needed at 100g+ (free test, 5 yrs)
- Operator ID at 250g+ or with a camera (£12.34/yr)
- Max height 120m (400ft) above ground
- Keep in line of sight; never over crowds
- Stay clear of airports and Flight Restriction Zones
🔓 Exceptions
- Toy drones under 250g without a camera need neither ID
- Legacy drones bought before Jan 2026 fly by weight-based rules
- Higher-risk/commercial flights may need Specific Category authorisation
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Flying without the required registration or breaching the Drone Code can bring fines up to £1,000. Endangering an aircraft — for example flying near an airport or in a Flight Restriction Zone — is far more serious, carrying up to 5 years' imprisonment. The police can also seize a drone. Beware a myth: "sub-250g drones have no rules" is false — if it has a camera you still need an Operator ID (and a Flyer ID at 100g+), and the 400ft, line-of-sight and airport rules still apply to every drone. To fly legally: get your Flyer ID and Operator ID as needed, label the drone, and follow the Drone Code on height, distance and airspace.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need to register my drone?
It depends on the drone. If it weighs 100g or more, you need a Flyer ID, obtained by passing a free online test, valid five years. If it weighs 250g or more, or has a camera and weighs 100 to 250g, the responsible person also needs an Operator ID, costing £12.34 a year, with the ID labelled on the drone.
How high can I fly a drone?
The maximum legal height is 120 metres, or 400 feet, above ground level. You must also keep the drone within your direct line of sight at all times, so you can see and avoid other aircraft and hazards. Flying higher, or beyond line of sight, is not permitted in the open category without special authorisation.
Can I fly a drone near an airport?
No. You must stay well clear of airports and aerodromes and their Flight Restriction Zones. Flying a drone in a way that endangers an aircraft is a criminal offence, which can carry up to five years in prison. Always check airspace restrictions, for example using a drone-safety app, before you fly.
Do small drones have any rules?
Yes. Even a sub-250g drone must follow the core rules on height, line of sight and staying away from airports and crowds. If it has a camera, you still need an Operator ID, and at 100g or more you need a Flyer ID. Only toy drones under 250g without a camera are exempt from registration.
What's the penalty for breaking the rules?
Flying without the required registration or breaching the Drone Code can lead to fines of up to £1,000. Endangering an aircraft is much more serious and can carry up to five years' imprisonment, and the police can seize the drone. So it's important to register correctly and follow the height, distance and airspace rules.
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