Drone Licence UK 2026: Do You Actually Need One? (The Rules Changed)

Strictly speaking, there is no single “drone licence” in the UK. What people mean by a drone licence UK search is the CAA’s registration system: a Flyer ID (a free online theory test) and an Operator ID (a paid annual registration). Since 1 January 2026, you need a Flyer ID for almost any drone of 100g or more, and an Operator ID if that drone has a camera.

That change caught a lot of people out, because the threshold used to be 250g. Plenty of pilots bought small “sub-250g” drones precisely so they wouldn’t need paperwork. In this guide we explain what you need now, what the extra qualifications are for, and what changes if you fly for work. We fly drones professionally for property, events, construction and surveying, so this is the checklist we work to ourselves.

Drone licence UK: do you need one in 2026?

Here’s how the CAA’s requirements break down since the January 2026 changes. Weight means the take-off weight of the drone, including anything you’ve attached to it.

In practice, if you’ve bought a drone to take photos or video, you almost certainly need both. Most consumer camera drones from the big brands weigh more than 100g, including the tiny ones.

What’s the difference between a Flyer ID and an Operator ID?

• Flyer ID belongs to the person flying. You get it by passing a free online theory test on the CAA website. It lasts five years, then you retake the test. Children under 13 must take it with a parent or guardian.
• Operator ID belongs to the person or organisation responsible for the drone. It costs £12.34 a year at the time of writing (check the CAA site, as charges are reviewed each year). You must be 18 or over to register, and the Operator ID must be labelled on every drone you’re responsible for.

A family with one drone would typically have one Operator ID (held by an adult) and a Flyer ID for each person who flies it, including teenagers.

What changed on 1 January 2026?

The UK moved to its own system of class marks and tightened the lower weight limits. The main changes for everyday pilots are:

• The Flyer ID threshold dropped from 250g to 100g. Sub-250g no longer means “no test”.
• New UK class marks, UK0 to UK6. New drones sold in the UK carry a mark that tells you where and how they can be flown. EU C-class marks are recognised as their UK equivalents until the end of December 2027.
• Remote ID is arriving. Class-marked UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5 and UK6 drones must broadcast Remote ID information. From 1 January 2028 this extends to more aircraft, including legacy drones of 100g or more with a camera.
• Night flying needs a green flashing light. If you add one, remember it counts towards the drone’s weight.

Older drones without a class mark (often called “legacy” drones) can still be flown. Their weight decides which rules apply.

The rules that apply whatever licence you hold

Passing the Flyer ID test doesn’t mean you can fly anywhere. The core Open Category rules still apply to everyone:

1. Keep the drone in direct sight at all times.
2. Stay at or below 120m (400ft) above the surface.
3. Keep out of airport and airfield flight restriction zones unless you have permission.
4. Keep a safe distance from people who aren’t involved in your flight, and never fly over crowds.
5. Respect privacy. If your drone has a camera, data protection rules can apply to what you record.

Landowners can also refuse permission to take off from their land, and some councils, parks and nature reserves have their own byelaws. Checking an airspace app before every flight is a good habit.

Do you need more than a Flyer ID? The A2 CofC and GVC

For most hobby flying, the Flyer ID and Operator ID are all you need. The next qualifications are for flying closer to people or for more complex work.

A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC)

The A2 CofC lets you fly in the “A2” subcategory, which is about flying closer to uninvolved people than the standard rules allow. Since the 2026 changes, A2 CofC holders can fly UK2-marked drones (or EU C2 drones until the end of 2027) up to 4kg, keeping 30 metres horizontally from uninvolved people, or 5 metres in low-speed mode. It’s done through a CAA-approved training provider and is a sensible step for anyone filming in towns or at events.

GVC and the new RPC qualifications

The General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) is the qualification for the Specific Category, which covers flights the Open Category rules don’t allow, such as working closer to people and buildings. It’s used alongside an Operational Authorisation from the CAA. The CAA has said the GVC will stop being issued on 31 December 2027, after which the Remote Pilot Certificates (RPC Level 1, 2 and 3) take over.

If you’re thinking about drone work as a career, it’s worth planning around the RPC route rather than starting a GVC late in its life.

Do you need a special licence to fly a drone for money?

This is one of the most common questions we’re asked. The UK rules are based on risk, not on whether you’re paid. Flying for a business is allowed in the Open Category as long as you stay within its limits. What changes is everything around the flight:

• Insurance. If you fly for anything other than sport or recreation, you need insurance that meets the legal requirements. Clients will usually ask to see it. Ours is £10m public liability.
• The job itself. Real work often pushes you outside the Open Category: a property on a busy street, a construction site next to a road, an event with guests below. That’s when you need the Specific Category, the right qualification and an Operational Authorisation.
• Planning and paperwork. Site surveys, risk assessments, landowner permission and airspace checks are part of every professional flight.

So you can earn money with just a Flyer ID and Operator ID, but you’ll quickly find that the jobs worth doing need more than that.

When it makes sense to hire a drone operator instead

If you need aerial footage for a business, a one-off event or a property sale, buying a drone and learning the rules is often the long way round. A professional operator handles the permissions, insurance, risk assessment and weather calls, and brings the editing skills to turn raw footage into something usable.

Our team covers aerial filming and photography across Suffolk, Essex and the wider East of England, including property drone coverage, event drone filming and drone roof and site surveys. If you’re not sure aerial footage is worth it for your project, our article on when drone footage is worth using is a good place to start. For a quote, have a look at our pricing or get in touch.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Flyer ID the same as a drone licence?

It’s the closest thing the UK has for everyday flying. The CAA calls it a Flyer ID, not a licence, but it’s the online test most people mean when they talk about a drone licence.

Do I need a licence for a DJI Mini or other sub-250g drone?

Yes, in most cases. Since 1 January 2026, any drone of 100g or more needs a Flyer ID, and if it has a camera you also need an Operator ID. Most mini camera drones are well over 100g.

How long does a Flyer ID last?

Five years. After that you retake the free online test. The Operator ID is renewed every year.

Can a child fly a drone in the UK?

Yes. Children can get a Flyer ID (under-13s take the test with a parent or guardian), but the Operator ID has to be held by someone aged 18 or over.

Do I need permission to fly a drone over my own house?

You don’t need extra permission to fly over your own property, but the normal rules still apply: keep the drone in sight, stay under 120m, check you’re not in an airport restriction zone, and keep clear of neighbours and people nearby.