Everything You Need to Know about UK Drone Rules and Regulations

Drones; Where to Begin?

A drone can be a great addition to any business, but there are certain things to be aware of before getting into the hobby or profession. 

Drone rules and regulations continue to change, and it is important to stay educated and up-to-date on the latest changes to avoid getting into any legal trouble, as well as to continue flying safely.

Drone Operator ID’s

To fly a drone of 250g and under, you need an Operator ID, which can be purchased through the Drone Safe Store for a small fee. For any drone heavier than 250g, you would need to take a test to obtain your Flyer ID, as well as an Operator ID. ID stickers must be put on your drone before flying. The drone also needs to be registered with the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority).

UK Rules Include:

• You cannot fly above 400 feet in altitude

• Your drone must always remain in your sight

• Always keep your drone away from aircraft, helicopters, airports and airfields

• Your drone must not be flown within 150 metres of a congested area or any large group of people such as a concert, if you were to go against this rule you could be prosecuted

• You are not allowed to fly within 50 metres of any person, vehicle, vessel or building

UK Drone Laws Include:

• Three operational categories: Open (geared to hobbyists/some commercial users); Specific (mainly enterprise drone pilots); Certified (very high-risk operations)

• Open Category divided into subcategories: A1 (fly over people); A2 (fly close to people); A3 (fly far from people). Certain drones can fly under the rules of certain subcategories

• UK CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) has said that European Union (EU) class marks on drones will not be recognised in the UK from December 23, 2022

• A Transitional Period has been extended to 1 January 2026. This allows current drones - with no class marking or a class marking which is not recognised in the UK - to continue to be flown in line with more relaxed rules, as part of the drone regulations

• To operate in A2 subcategory, or A1 subcategory with an A1 or A2 Transitional aircraft, an A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) is needed

• Operations which can't be performed in the Open Category can be performed in the Specific Category. An Operational Authorisation - replacing the PfCO - is needed from the CAA

• A General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) is needed to apply for an Operational Authorisation

• Valid PfCOs (as of December 31, 2020) will be brought into line with the Operational Authorisation

• There is now no differentiation between 'leisure' and 'commercial' drone flights

• In most cases, UK drone registration is required

• This blog also details what UK drone operators need to do to fly in Europe

Drone Insurance

Drone Safe Store has partnered with Coverdrone, which provides the most reliable and thorough insurance for both professional pilots and hobbyists. 

As a rule of thumb, everyone with a drone should have personal liability insurance in case your drone crashes causing damage. This way, you have coverage in place if a claim is made against you and your drone. While your home insurance may cover drone damage, be sure to always check the fine print. Many companies have recently excluded drones from their home insurance policies or excluded damage caused by drones, so it's important to verify your policy details or speak to one of the friendly experts at Coverdrone.

Where Can I Fly My Drone?

Fly zones are dictated by the type of drone you have and the level of risk involved in the flight.

Drone flights will fall into one of three categories. These are:

• Open: Presents low risk to third parties. An authorisation from the CAA is not required

• Specific: More complex operations or aspects of the operation fall outside the boundaries of the Open Category. Authorisation is required from the CAA

• Certified: Very complex operations, presenting an equivalent risk to that of manned aviation. UK regulations relating to the Certified Category are still being developed and are not yet published. Until unique UAS regulations are available, the principles set out in the relevant manned aviation regulations for airworthiness, operations and licensing will be used as the basis for regulating the Certified Category