Rules for flying an FPV drone in France

Last checked against the official source: October 21, 2026

Informational summary, not legal advice. The rules are published by Direction générale de l'aviation civile (DGAC) and take precedence over this summary: check the linked source before you fly. Authority: Direction générale de l'aviation civile (DGAC)

The essentials

Every FPV drone has a camera, so in France you must register as an operator with the DGAC even under 250 g. You get an FRA + 13-character number that goes on the drone.
From 250 g without a class mark (home-built quads), the A1/A3 online training and test on AlphaTango are mandatory: 40 questions, 75% correct, valid 5 years.
FPV with goggles is allowed in France provided a second person is present, acting as an observer next to the pilot.
Maximum 120 m height, no night flying (except some club sites) and no flying over public space in built-up areas. Check the Géoportail map before flying.
From 800 g the drone itself must be registered on AlphaTango and, above 800 g, broadcast signalement électronique; a modified drone is registered again (750 EUR fine).

Operator and drone registration

Under EU law, operators must register to fly in the Open category any drone of 250 g or more, or any drone with a sensor able to capture personal data (unless it is a toy under Directive 2009/48/EC).
«UAS operators shall register themselves: (a) when operating within the 'open' category any of the following unmanned aircraft: i. with a MTOM of 250 g or more» · Source: publications.europa.eu
You register in the Member State where you live.
«UAS operators shall register themselves in the Member State where they have their residence for natural persons» · Source: publications.europa.eu
In France, operators of C1-C4 drones register online with the DGAC; for a C0 drone (under 250 g), registration is needed if it has a camera, which every FPV drone has.
«Vous devez vous enregistrer en ligne auprès de la DGAC si votre drone est équipé d'une caméra» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
For drones without a class mark (the section that covers older drones and model aircraft), operators of drones over 250 g must register online with the DGAC.
«Drone supérieur à 250 grammes Vous devez vous enregistrer en ligne auprès de la DGAC.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
After registering you get an operator number in the form FRA + 13 characters, which must be written on the drone and be legible when it is on the ground.
«un numéro d'exploitant, sous la forme FRA + 13 caractères, vous est remis. Vous devez inscrire ce numéro sur votre drone.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Separately from operator registration, the DRONE itself must be registered on the AlphaTango portal if it weighs 800 g or more, or carries an electronic signalling device. Flying an unregistered drone risks a 750 EUR fine.
«Vous devez enregistrer votre drone sur le portail Alpha tango si sa masse est supérieure ou égale à 800 grammes ou s'il est équipé d'un dispositif de signalement électronique.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Drone registration lasts at most 5 years, and a modified drone must be registered again (fine 750 EUR); relevant for FPV builders who change their quad.
«En cas de modification du drone, il est nécessaire de procéder à un nouvel enregistrement. Vous risquez une amende de 750 € si vous ne respectez pas cette obligation.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Drones without a class mark and without a signalling device: no drone registration under 800 g.
«Drone de moins de 800 grammes Vous n'êtes pas obligé d'enregistrer votre drone.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr

Pilot competency (A1/A3, A2)

The A1/A3 training and online test are done on the DGAC's AlphaTango portal.
«La formation est disponible sur le portail Alpha Tango» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
For drones of 250 g to 25 kg without a class mark (which includes home-built FPV quads in that range), the A1/A3 online training and test are mandatory.
«Vous devez suivre une formation en ligne intitulée "catégorie Ouverte A1/A3" et réussir un test d'évaluation.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
The test has 40 questions, needs 75% correct, and attempts are unlimited.
«Il s'agit d'un examen de 40 questions. Vous devez obtenir 75 % de bonnes réponses. Le nombre de tentatives n'est pas limité.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
The certificate is valid for 5 years; renewal means passing the test again.
«L'attestation est valable 5 ans, son renouvellement nécessite de réussir à nouveau le test d'évaluation.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Flying without the certificate risks a 450 EUR fine; not showing it on the spot during a check, 38 EUR.
«Vous risquez une amende de 450 € si vous faites voler votre drone sans obtenir l'attestation de réussite.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Under 250 g the training is not mandatory but recommended.
«Vous n'êtes pas obligé de suivre une formation. Toutefois, il est recommandé de passer la "formation catégorie Ouverte A1/A3".» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
A2 (C2 drones only, flying closer to people): in addition to A1/A3, the 'brevet d'aptitude de pilote à distance', which means practical self-training plus an extra exam at a DGAC exam centre.
«Cela consiste à passer une autoformation pratique et réussir à un examen complémentaire dans un centre d'examen de la DGAC.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Minimum pilot age in France is 14.
«Vous devez avoir au moins 14 ans pour piloter votre drone.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
No age limit if you built the drone yourself and it weighs under 250 g, or if you are accompanied by a pilot aged 16 or over.
«Vous avez construit vous-même votre drone et il pèse moins de 250 grammes» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr

Classes C0-C4 and home-built drones

Since 1 January 2024 a drone you buy must carry a CE class mark (C0-C4) to fly in the Open category.
«Depuis le 1 er janvier 2024, le drone que vous achetez doit porter une mention de classe CE (C0, C1, C2, C3, C4) pour pouvoir voler en catégorie ouverte.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Class masses per service-public: C0 under 250 g; C1 250-900 g with direct remote ID; C2 900 g-4 kg; C3/C4 4-25 kg.
«Drone de classe C1 (entre 250 et 900 grammes et équipé d'une fonction d'identification directe à distance)» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
EU definition of 'privately built': assembled or made for the builder's own use, excluding ready-to-assemble kits sold as a single set.
«a UAS assembled or manufactured for the builder's own use, not including UAS assembled from sets of parts placed on the market as a single ready-to-assemble kit» · Source: publications.europa.eu
A privately built drone may fly in subcategory A1 if it is under 250 g including payload and its maximum operating speed is under 19 m/s.
«has an MTOM, including payload, of less than 250 g and a maximum operating speed of less than 19 m/s, in the case of a privately built UAS» · Source: publications.europa.eu
A privately built drone under 25 kg may fly in subcategory A3.
«has an MTOM, including payload, of less than 25 kg, in the case of a privately built UAS» · Source: publications.europa.eu

FPV with goggles

Service-public (France): FPV (immersion) flights are allowed provided a second person is present.
«Les vols en immersion (FPV) et l'utilisation de drones suiveurs sont possibles à condition qu'une seconde personne soit présente.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
EU rule behind it: in the Open category the pilot keeps the drone in visual line of sight, except in follow-me mode or when using an unmanned aircraft observer.
«the remote pilot keeps the unmanned aircraft in VLOS at all times except when flying in follow-me mode or when using an unmanned aircraft observer» · Source: publications.europa.eu
The observer stands next to the pilot, watches the drone with the naked eye, and must be able to communicate clearly with the pilot.
«remote pilots may be assisted by an unmanned aircraft observer, situated alongside them, who, by unaided visual observation of the unmanned aircraft, assists the remote pilot» · Source: publications.europa.eu
The pilot may not fly from a moving vehicle.
«Le télépilote ne peut pas se trouver à bord d'un véhicule en déplacement.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr

Height, people and night

Maximum height is 120 m.
«La hauteur de vol maximale est de 120 mètres.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
The ceiling is lower around aerodromes and in some military training zones (under 50 m while they are active); check Géoportail before flying.
«Pendant leurs horaires d'activation, elle est limitée à moins de 50 mètres.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
EU: never fly over assemblies of people in the Open category.
«the remote pilot ensures that the unmanned aircraft is kept at a safe distance from people and that it is not flown over assemblies of people» · Source: publications.europa.eu
A3 (where home-built quads over 250 g fly): keep at least 150 m horizontally from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas, and no uninvolved person may be endangered.
«be conducted at a safe horizontal distance of at least 150 metres from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas» · Source: publications.europa.eu
Under 250 g (C0): overflying people is tolerated but stay away from gatherings.
«Le survol des personnes est toléré. Par contre, vous devez rester éloigné des rassemblements de personnes.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Night flying is forbidden in France, even with lights, except on some model-flying club sites.
«L'utilisation de drones est interdite la nuit, même lorsqu'ils sont équipés de dispositifs lumineux. Sauf exception sur certains sites d'association d'aéromodélisme.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Breaking safety rules or overflight bans: 1-6 months' prison, 15,000-75,000 EUR fine and confiscation.
«vous risquez de 1 à 6 mois d'emprisonnement et de 15 000 € à 75 000 € d'amende et vous faire confisquer votre drone.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr

Where you can fly

The official map of restriction zones for leisure drones in metropolitan France is on Géoportail: https://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/donnees/restrictions-uas-categorie-ouverte-et-aeromodelisme
«La carte des zones de restrictions pour les drones de loisir en France métropolitaine est consultable sur le géoportail en ligne.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Flying is banned over sensitive or protected sites such as nuclear plants, military land, historic monuments, prisons, nature reserves and national parks, and near aerodromes.
«le vol de drones est interdit au-dessus de certains sites sensibles ou protégés (centrales nucléaires, terrains militaires, monuments historiques, prisons, réserves naturelles et parcs nationaux...» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Do not fly over public space in built-up areas (one of the 10 rules in the mandatory drone leaflet).
«Ne pas faire voler son appareil au-dessus de l'espace public en agglomération» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Flying is allowed on private land with the owner's consent, on authorised model-flying sites, or in some public spaces.
«Le vol est en revanche autorisé dans les espaces privés avec l'accord du propriétaire, dans les sites d'aéromodélisme autorisés ou encore dans certains espaces publics.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Privacy: you may not record images that identify people without consent; violations risk 1 year in prison and 45,000 EUR.
«Vous ne pouvez pas enregistrer des images permettant de reconnaître ou identifier les personnes (visages, plaques d'immatriculation...) sans leur autorisation.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr

See the map of flying zones and spots

Insurance

You are liable for damage caused to other drones, people and property.
«Votre responsabilité peut être engagée en cas de dommages causés aux autres drones, aux personnes et aux biens.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Service-public advises checking your civil liability (responsabilité civile) contract if you have no drone-specific insurance; it does not state that drone insurance is legally mandatory for hobby flying.
«Si vous n'avez pas contracté d'assurance spécifique, vérifiez les clauses de votre contrat responsabilité civile.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr

Signalement électronique and remote ID

France's national electronic signalling (signalement électronique) broadcasts the drone's identity in flight at regular intervals.
«Le dispositif de signalement électronique diffuse à intervalles réguliers l'identité de votre drone lorsqu'il est en vol.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Drones over 800 g must broadcast it (fine 750 EUR); under 800 g it is not required. This applies whether or not the drone has a class mark, so it covers heavy home-built quads.
«Drone de plus de 800 grammes Votre drone doit émettre un signalement électronique.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
Below 800 g no signalling is needed.
«Drone de moins de 800 grammes Votre drone peut voler sans émettre un signalement électronique.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
EU direct remote ID: class C1, C2 and C3 drones must have it; C0 and C4 do not.
«Votre drone doit être équipé d'un système d'identification directe à distance.» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
EU: C1 drones in A1 must fly with active, up-to-date direct remote ID and geo-awareness.
«is operated with active and updated direct remote identification and geo-awareness systems» · Source: publications.europa.eu

Official links

Service-public: 'Drone : règles de pilotage à respecter' (checked 23 September 2025 by the publisher).
«Vérifié le 23 septembre 2025 - Service Public / Direction de l'information légale et administrative (Premier ministre)» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
AlphaTango (DGAC portal for operator/drone registration and A1/A3 training): https://alphatango.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/
«La formation est disponible sur le portail Alpha Tango» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
DGAC leisure-drone page: https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/politiques-publiques/drones-loisir. Géoportail restriction map: https://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/donnees/restrictions-uas-categorie-ouverte-et-aeromodelisme
«Géoportail - Vérifier les zones de restriction de vol» · Source: www.service-public.gouv.fr
EU Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules and procedures for operating unmanned aircraft); EUR-Lex: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2019/947/oj
«COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2019/947» · Source: publications.europa.eu

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register to fly an FPV drone in France?
Yes. As an operator you register online with the DGAC if the drone weighs 250 g or more, or if it has a camera even when lighter, and every FPV drone has one. You get an FRA + 13-character number that must be written on the drone.

Do I also have to register the drone itself?
Only if it weighs 800 g or more or carries a signalement électronique device; then it is registered on AlphaTango. Registration lasts at most 5 years and a modified drone must be registered again, with a 750 EUR fine if you do not.

Can I fly FPV goggles alone in France?
No. FPV (immersion) flights are allowed provided a second person is present. That observer stands next to you, watches the drone with the naked eye and must be able to communicate clearly with you.

Do I need the A1/A3 test for a home-built quad?
Yes, if it weighs between 250 g and 25 kg: the A1/A3 online training and test on AlphaTango are mandatory, and flying without the certificate risks a 450 EUR fine. Under 250 g it is not mandatory but recommended.

Do home-built drones need a class label in France?
The class mark is required for a drone you buy since 1 January 2024. Under EU rules a privately built drone may fly in A1 if it is under 250 g and under 19 m/s, and in A3 if it is under 25 kg; ready-to-assemble kits sold as a single set do not count as privately built.

Is insurance mandatory for hobby drones in France?
The official page does not say it is mandatory; it only advises checking your civil-liability contract if you have no drone-specific insurance. It does make clear that you are liable for damage to other drones, people and property.

Where can I fly FPV in France?
On private land with the owner's consent, on authorised model-flying sites or in some public spaces, up to 120 m and never at night (except some club sites). It is banned over public space in built-up areas and over sensitive sites; check the Géoportail map before taking off.

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