Rules for flying an FPV drone in the United States

Last checked against the official source: October 21, 2026

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

The essentials

If your drone weighs 250 g (0.55 lb) or more, you must register it at FAADroneZone; for recreational flyers it costs $5, covers all your drones and is valid 3 years. Under 250 g and flown under the recreational exception, it is exempt.
To fly for fun you must pass TRUST, a free online test, and carry proof.
With FPV goggles you need a visual observer next to you, in direct communication, who sees the drone with unaided vision.
Maximum 400 ft in Class G airspace; in controlled airspace (B, C, D and surface E) you need prior authorization via LAANC or DroneZone.
Since 16 September 2023, every drone that needs registration must broadcast Remote ID. A home-built drone can use an add-on module; without Remote ID you may only fly inside a FRIA.
Recreational flying requires following the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized CBO; when in doubt, the FAA says to assume Part 107.

Drone registration (FAADroneZone)

Recreational flyers must register any drone of 250 g (0.55 lb) or more.
«You must register if your drone weighs 250 grams (0.55 lbs) or more.» · Source: www.faa.gov
Drones of 0.55 lb or less (less than 250 g) flown under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations are exempt from registration.
«All drones must be registered, except those that weigh 0.55 pounds or less (less than 250 grams) and are flown under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations.» · Source: www.faa.gov
Recreational registration costs $5, covers all your drones and lasts 3 years.
«The Exception for Limited Recreational Operations registration costs $5, covers all drones in your inventory, and is valid for three (3) years.» · Source: www.faa.gov
Register online at FAADroneZone (drones under 55 lb).
«Register a drone online at FAA DroneZone (drone must weigh less than 55 pounds)» · Source: www.faa.gov
You must be 13 or older; if the owner is under 13, a person aged 13 or older must register the drone.
«13 years of age or older (if the owner is less than 13 years of age, a person 13 years of age or older must register the drone)» · Source: www.faa.gov
Mark the registration number on the outside of the drone and carry proof of registration.
«mark (PDF) your drones on the outside with the registration number, and carry proof of registration with you when flying.» · Source: www.faa.gov

TRUST test

Recreational flyers must pass TRUST and carry proof when flying.
«You are required by law to take TRUST and carry proof when flying.» · Source: www.faa.gov
TRUST is free and online through FAA-approved test administrators.
«All FAA-approved TRUST test administrators offer the test free.» · Source: www.faa.gov
Questions can be corrected until 100% before the certificate is issued.
«All test questions are correctable to 100% prior to issuing your completion certificate.» · Source: www.faa.gov
Keep your certificate: if you lose it, you must retake TRUST.
«If you lose your certificate, you will need to re-take TRUST.» · Source: www.faa.gov

Recreational vs Part 107

Purely recreational flying is covered by the statutory exception in USC 44809; when in doubt, the FAA says to assume Part 107.
«When in doubt, assume Part 107.» · Source: www.faa.gov
Flying for compensation is not the only test: goodwill flights can be non-recreational.
«Compensation, or the lack of it, is not what determines if a flight was recreational or not.» · Source: www.faa.gov
The recreational flyer must follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community-Based Organization (CBO).
«The aircraft is operated in accordance with or within the programming of a community-based organization's set of safety guidelines» · Source: www.govinfo.gov
You may only fly the types of operations (e.g. FPV) that the CBO guidelines you follow address.
«An individual operating under a CBO's safety guidelines may only conduct the types of operations addressed in those safety guidelines.» · Source: www.faa.gov

Flying FPV with goggles

The law requires visual line of sight by the pilot or by a co-located visual observer in direct communication.
«The aircraft is flown within the visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft or a visual observer co-located and in direct communication with the operator.» · Source: www.govinfo.gov
FAA guidance: a visual observer is necessary to fly with FPV devices.
«The use of a VO is necessary if the recreational flyer wants to use first person view (FPV) devices» · Source: www.faa.gov
The observer must see the drone with unaided vision (glasses/contacts allowed) and the surrounding airspace for the whole flight.
«either the operator or a visual observer (VO) must be able to see the UA (with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses)» · Source: www.faa.gov
FAA summary of the same rule for recreational flyers.
«use a visual observer who is co-located (physically next to) and in direct communication with you.» · Source: www.faa.gov

Operating limits

Maximum 400 ft above ground in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace.
«Fly at or below 400 feet in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace.» · Source: www.faa.gov
Give way to and do not interfere with other aircraft.
«Give way to and do not interfere with other aircraft.» · Source: www.faa.gov
Do not endanger the safety of the airspace system.
«Do not operate your drone in a manner that endangers the safety of the national airspace system.» · Source: www.faa.gov
The FAA encourages CBOs to include restrictions on operations over people in their safety guidelines.
«CBOs are encouraged to include the following safe practices in their safety guidelines: restrictions on operations over people» · Source: www.faa.gov

Where you can fly: B4UFLY, LAANC, controlled airspace

Controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, surface Class E) needs prior FAA authorization via LAANC or DroneZone.
«controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface Class E designated for an airport) only with prior FAA authorization by using LAANC or DroneZone.» · Source: www.faa.gov
LAANC is open to recreational flyers who have registered and taken TRUST.
«To operate as a Recreational Flyer, you must register your drone and take the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) before your first flight.» · Source: www.faa.gov
With LAANC, if approved, you receive the authorization in near real time.
«If approved, pilots can receive their authorization in near-real time.» · Source: www.faa.gov
The FAA's B4UFLY service shows where recreational flyers can and cannot fly.
«The FAA's B4UFLY service shows where recreational flyers can and cannot fly.» · Source: www.faa.gov

See the map of flying zones and spots

Remote ID and FRIAs

Every drone that must be (or is) registered must comply with Remote ID, recreational included.
«Drones which are required to be registered or are registered, including those flown for recreation, business, or public safety, must comply with the rule on Remote ID.» · Source: www.faa.gov
A home-built drone can comply with an add-on Remote ID broadcast module; you must keep it in sight.
«Pilots operating a drone with a Remote ID broadcast module must be able to see their drone at all times during flight.» · Source: www.faa.gov
A recreational flyer can move a broadcast module from one drone without Standard Remote ID to another, as long as both are listed in the same inventory.
«This will permit you to move the module from one drone not equipped with Standard Remote ID to another» · Source: www.faa.gov
Drones without Remote ID may fly only inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA): both the drone and the pilot must stay within its boundaries throughout the operation.
«Both the drone and the pilot must be located within the FRIA's boundaries throughout the operation.» · Source: www.faa.gov
Only FAA-recognized CBOs and educational institutions can request a FRIA.
«Only FAA-recognized Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and educational institutions» · Source: www.faa.gov
Remote ID has applied since 16 September 2023 to drones that need a registration number.
«As of September 16, 2023, if your drone requires an FAA registration number it will also be required to broadcast Remote ID information» · Source: www.faa.gov

Official links

Recreational flyers overview.
«To fly for fun, you need to:» · Source: www.faa.gov
Register at FAADroneZone (faadronezone-access.faa.gov).
«Register your drone at FAADroneZone whether flying under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations or Part 107.» · Source: www.faa.gov
TRUST and list of approved test administrators.
«You may take the free online test through any of the FAA approved test administrators.» · Source: www.faa.gov
FRIA locations map and rules.
«Visit our FRIA Locations Map» · Source: www.faa.gov
Advisory Circular 91-57D (recreational operations).
«3.3.2.3 First Person View (FPV).» · Source: www.faa.gov

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register an FPV drone in the US?
Yes, if it weighs 250 g (0.55 lb) or more. Recreational registration is done at FAADroneZone, costs $5, covers all your drones and lasts 3 years; you must mark the number on the outside of the drone. Under 250 g and purely recreational, it is not required.

Can I fly FPV with goggles on my own?
No. The law requires visual line of sight, and the FAA states that a visual observer is necessary to use FPV devices: someone next to you, in direct communication, who sees the drone with unaided vision for the whole flight.

Do I need a license to fly FPV for fun?
For recreational flying you must pass TRUST, a free online test through FAA-approved administrators, and carry the certificate when flying. When in doubt, the FAA says to assume Part 107.

Does a home-built FPV drone need Remote ID?
Yes, if it must be registered. You can comply with an add-on Remote ID broadcast module, keeping the drone in sight, or fly without Remote ID only inside a FRIA.

Where can I fly FPV in the US?
The FAA's B4UFLY service shows where you can fly. In Class G airspace the maximum is 400 ft; in controlled airspace (B, C, D and surface E) you need prior authorization via LAANC or DroneZone.

Can I fly over people?
The FAA encourages CBOs to include restrictions on operations over people in their safety guidelines, and as a recreational flyer you must follow a CBO's guidelines. Check your CBO's guidelines.

Is insurance mandatory?
The FAA pages reviewed for this guide do not state whether recreational flyers need insurance, so we cannot confirm it either way.

Rules in other countries

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