Rules for flying an FPV drone in the United Kingdom

Last checked against the official source: October 21, 2026

Informational summary, not legal advice. The rules are published by UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and take precedence over this summary: check the linked source before you fly. Authority: UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

The essentials

From 100 g you need a Flyer ID, obtained by passing the CAA online theory test; it is free and valid for 5 years.
From 250 g, or from 100 g if the drone has a camera, you also need an Operator ID: it costs £12.34 a year, requires you to be 18 and must be labelled on the drone.
You may fly FPV with goggles, but only with an observer beside you who can talk to you; one of you must keep the drone in direct sight.
A home-built drone under 25 kg can fly in the A3 sub-category, which requires 150 m from residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas. Drones below 250 g may fly in those areas.
Maximum height 120 m (400 ft), at least 50 m from people (except drones under 250 g or of class UK0, UK1 or C0) and never over crowds.
From 1 January 2028, home-built drones of 100 g or more with a camera must use Direct Remote ID.

Registration: Flyer ID and Operator ID

From 250 g to under 25 kg you need both a Flyer ID (pilot) and an Operator ID (owner).
«If your drone or model aircraft weighs from 250g to less than 25kg, you must get a Flyer ID and Operator ID.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
From 100 g to under 250 g with a camera you also need an Operator ID.
«If your drone or model aircraft weighs 100g to less than 250g and has a camera, you must also get an Operator ID.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
From 100 g to under 250 g without a camera, the Operator ID is optional (the Flyer ID is still required from 100 g).
«If it does not have a camera, you can choose whether or not to get an Operator ID.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
A Flyer ID is required for any drone or model aircraft of 100 g or more.
«You must get a Flyer ID if you want to fly a drone or model aircraft that weighs 100g or above.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Under 100 g no Flyer ID is required.
«If your drone or model aircraft weighs less than 100g, you do not have to get a Flyer ID.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
The Operator ID costs £12.34 and lasts one year.
«Registration for an Operator ID costs £12.34 and is valid for 1 year.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
You must be 18 or over to get an Operator ID.
«You must be at least 18 years old to get an Operator ID.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
The Flyer ID is free and valid for 5 years (CAA price table).
«Flyer ID | £0 | 5 years» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
You must be at least 13 to get a Flyer ID on your own.
«You must be at least 13 years old to get a Flyer ID by yourself.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Registration is done online on the CAA drone registration service.
«Individual operator ID £12.34» · Source: register-drones.caa.co.uk
Always label the aircraft with your Operator ID, not your Flyer ID.
«Always label with your Operator ID, not your Flyer ID.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
The label must be clear and in block capitals taller than 3 mm.
«clear and in block capitals taller than 3mm» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
The registration requirements in force from 1 January 2026 were added to the Code in the September 2025 update.
«Updated content to include registration requirements that will be in force from 1 January 2026.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk

Pilot competency (Flyer ID theory test)

The Flyer ID is obtained by passing the CAA online theory test.
«take the theory test to get a Flyer ID» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Flying in the Near People (A2) sub-category additionally requires the A2 Certificate of Competence.
«If you want to fly in the Near People (A2) sub-category, you must get the A2 Certificate of Competence» · Source: www.caa.co.uk

Open category, sub-categories and class marks

New drone models placed on the market from 1 January 2026 must carry a UK class mark (UK0 to UK6).
«Any new model of drone or model aircraft placed on the market from 1 January 2026 must have a UK class mark.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
A drone without a UK or European class mark is a 'legacy' aircraft and is flown according to its weight.
«Any drone or model aircraft that does not have a UK or European class mark is known as a legacy aircraft.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
A privately built (home-built) drone under 25 kg can fly in the Far from People (A3) sub-category.
«Drone or model aircraft that is privately built and is less than 25kg.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Drones under 250 g (or UK0, UK1, C0) may fly closer than 50 m to uninvolved people and over them.
«You can fly a drone or model aircraft that's below 250g, or UK0, UK1 or C0 class closer to uninvolved people than 50m and you can fly over them.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk

Flying FPV with goggles

FPV is allowed, but only with an observer beside you.
«If you want to fly using first-person view, you must have an observer with you» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
The observer must stand next to you and you must be able to talk at all times.
«They must stand next to you and you must be able to talk to each other at all times.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
One of you must keep the aircraft in direct sight.
«One of you must be able to keep your drone or model aircraft in direct sight» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
The observer does not need a Flyer ID.
«The observer does not need to have a Flyer ID, but you must tell them what to look out for.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk

Operating limits

Maximum height 120 m (400 ft) above the closest point of the ground.
«Your drone or model aircraft must never be more than 120m (400ft) from the closest point of the earth's surface.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Keep at least 50 m horizontally from people (unless the sub-250 g / UK0 / UK1 / C0 exception applies).
«You must keep a minimum horizontal distance of 50m between your drone or model aircraft and people.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Never fly over crowds, whatever the size of the drone.
«Never fly over people who are crowded together, no matter what size of drone or model aircraft you have.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Keep at least 150 m from residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas. Drones below 250 g, or of class UK0, UK1 or C0, may fly in those areas.
«Keep at least 150m away from residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Always keep the aircraft in direct sight with a full view of the surrounding airspace.
«Always keep your drone or model aircraft in direct sight and make sure you have a full view of the surrounding airspace» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Use a green flashing light when flying at night.
«Use a green flashing light when flying at night» · Source: www.caa.co.uk

Where you can fly

Never fly in an airport/airfield Flight Restriction Zone without permission.
«Never fly in this zone unless you have permission from the airport, airfield or spaceport.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
The CAA points to the NATS map of airspace restrictions for FRZs and other restrictions.
«You can find details of FRZs and other airspace restrictions on NATS' map of airspace restrictions» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
NOTAMs can be found on the NATS drone website (drones.nats.aero).
«You can also find NOTAMs at the NATS drone website» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Byelaws usually do not appear on apps.
«Byelaws are unlikely to be shown on apps or drone websites.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Flying is restricted around sites such as prisons, military ranges, royal palaces and government buildings.
«Flying may be restricted around some sites, such as prisons, military ranges, royal palaces, and government buildings.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk

See the map of flying zones and spots

Insurance

The CAA says insurance is optional if you only fly for fun, recreation, sport or as a hobby.
«Although insurance is optional if you only fly for fun, recreation, sport, or as a hobby,» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
At 20 kg or more, third-party insurance is always required.
«If your drone or model aircraft is 20kg or more, you must always have third party insurance,» · Source: www.caa.co.uk

Remote ID

Remote ID must be enabled from 1 January 2026 or 1 January 2028 depending on class and category.
«You must enable Remote ID on your drone or model aircraft by either 1 January 2026 or 1 January 2028» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
From 1 January 2026 Direct Remote ID applies to UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5 and UK6 class drones.
«From 1 January 2026, Direct RID requirements will been in force for UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5 and UK6 drones.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Privately built drones of 100 g or more with a camera must use Direct Remote ID from 1 January 2028.
«Privately built UAS weighing 100g or more with a camera» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Legacy drones (no class mark) of 100 g or more with a camera are also covered from 1 January 2028.
«Legacy UAS (i.e. those not within the scope of UK class marking) weighing 100g or more with a camera» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
From 1 January 2028 Remote ID applies to all drone and model operations unless the CAA grants an exemption.
«From 1 January 2028, you must use Remote ID for all drone and model operations» · Source: www.caa.co.uk

Official links

Registration overview (Flyer ID / Operator ID).
«You must take a theory test and register with the CAA before flying most drones or model aircraft outdoors in the UK.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Drone and Model Aircraft Code (March 2026 PDF).
«Follow this Code to make sure you always fly safely and legally.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk
Manage your registration.
«add a flyer ID or operator ID to your registration» · Source: register-drones.caa.co.uk
Remote ID guidance.
«Your Remote ID does not transmit any personal identifying data.» · Source: www.caa.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register an FPV drone in the UK?
From 100 g you need a Flyer ID. From 250 g, or from 100 g if it has a camera, you also need an Operator ID, which costs £12.34 and lasts one year. Both are done online with the CAA.

Can I fly FPV alone with goggles on?
No. To fly FPV you must have an observer next to you whom you can talk to at all times, and one of you must keep the drone in direct sight. The observer does not need a Flyer ID.

Does a home-built FPV drone need a class mark?
The UK class mark (UK0 to UK6) is required for new models placed on the market from 1 January 2026. A home-built drone under 25 kg can fly in the Far from People (A3) sub-category.

Is insurance mandatory to fly FPV in the UK?
The CAA says insurance is optional if you only fly for fun. At 20 kg or more, third-party insurance is always required.

Where can I fly an FPV drone in the UK?
Never in an airport Flight Restriction Zone without permission. Check the NATS restrictions map and NOTAMs, and bear in mind that byelaws usually do not appear on apps.

What is the maximum height I can fly?
The drone must never be more than 120 m (400 ft) from the closest point of the ground.

Does my home-built FPV drone need Remote ID?
Yes, if it weighs 100 g or more and has a camera: from 1 January 2028 it must use Direct Remote ID.

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