Whether you’ve bought a drone or model aircraft, or you’re considering purchasing one, knowing the laws and regulations around using them safely in the UK is essential. The flying of drone equipment is covered by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulations, which are standard regulations to keep the use of drone and model aircraft technology fair, legal and safe.
Flying drones and model aircraft is legal in the UK, but there are rules you need to follow in accordance with the UK government and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This guide will take you through the latest drone laws, rules and regulations when it comes to using this equipment legally.
UK drone laws
The UK government implemented new drone laws to align with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for drone or model aircraft use, and to further develop the Drone and Model Aircraft Registration Scheme. This was to ensure that Europe as a whole was operating under the same standard rules rather than having to manage different regulations depending on the country you’re in.
As an overview, UK drone laws state that:
- Drone or model aircraft must be flown below an altitude of 400ft
- Drones and model aircrafts must not be flown within a 5km radius of any airport boundaries
- If the drone weighs over 250g, it will need to be formally registered with the CAA. Small drones do not need to be registered.
- The drone pilot must have a valid operator ID and a flyer ID
- If requested to do so by the police, operators have to be able to present their registration documents
- Before they are allowed flying time, drone pilots will be required to take an online drone safety test
Recreational drone users need to:
- Always ensure the drone is within sight
- Stay 500ft away from crowds and any built-up areas, if the drone is fitted with a camera
- Avoid flying over 150ft near open areas if over 1,000 people are present
- Follow local council rules regarding drone flights in the area
- Use drone apps to plan flights ahead of time, to ensure they are not entering a flight restriction zone or unsafe territory
Sizes of drones permitted in the UK
In the UK, you can fly a drone of any size but if it’s over 250g in weight, you will need to register it. Drone registration gives you an operator ID and a flyer ID which you’ll need to legally fly the drone if it weighs over 250g. Small drones and model aircraft under this weight do not require registration.
Where can I fly?
Where you can fly drones and model aircraft in the UK is determined by the type of drone you have and how much risk is involved in the flight. The equipment can fall into one of three drone classes:
Open: This flight presents low risk to third parties and ensures you can fly safely, without the need for authorisation from the CAA
Specific: More complex flights where aspects of the operation sit outside the boundaries of the Open category. This type of flight will require authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority. This class is for drone operations which present a greater risk with one or more elements falling outside of the usual Open category.
This class of work requires Operational Authorisation from the CAA, which will be based on a risk assessment. The CAA explains this type of operation as one which ‘cannot be done within the Open category, but is not complicated enough for the Certified category’. To operate in this category, you will need operational authorisation issued by the CAA, which requires the following to be completed before you can fly a drone:
- Complete the CAA’s Drone and Model Aircraft online training for basic remote pilot competency
- Complete the online competency test and obtain a flyer ID number
- Complete GVC training and pass the theory exam
- Complete the operations manual
- Pass the flight assessment
Certified: Complex operations which present the same risk as manned aviation. This category is for high risk and complex operations, such as using unmanned aircrafts over crowds of people and operations with Small Unmanned Aircrafts which a mass over 250g.
Because these operations present the same risk as manned aviation, they require the same regulatory compliance, such as certification of the aircraft, certified operators and licensing of the pilot. In the UK, Certified category regulations are still being developed and have yet to be published.
Within the open category, there are three sub-categories:
A1 – Fly over people
Drones in this category pose a low risk of harm to people, because they are lower in weight and are inherently harmless based on their construction. However, flights over open-air groups of people are not permitted.
A2 – Fly close to people
Drones must weigh less than 4kg and operators can fly to a minimum horizontal distance of 30m, if people are not involved. Operators can fly down to 5m horizontally when the drone is operating at low speed, but they must have completed the A2 CofC.
A3 - Fly far from people
Most general operations fall into this category, with the drone being flown in areas that are clear from uninvolved people and won’t be used in residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas.
Drones are not permitted on National Trust land or properties, in accordance with the trust’s byelaws. You will be required to have the relevant Civil Aviation Authority qualifications, as well as insurance and a license issued by the National Trust.
The National Trust states that drones with cameras could infringe general data protection regulation laws because of the risk of filming people without their permission, and could violate the Trust’s photography and filming rules.
You can fly most drones over private property in the UK, but with certain caveats. You need to ensure that the drone is at least 50m away from the property itself and anyone in it, and if the drone operator has permission from the owner of the property, you can fly in accordance with regular regulations.
Impress clients and bolster marketing efforts
Investing in aerial photography with drones is a step that many people feel wary of making, but it can make all the difference when working with clients. Drone photography can enhance your marketing efforts, providing you with photographs and videos that you can use to capture the uniqueness and beauty of a commercial property.
Drone photography sets you apart from your competition and can dramatically boost your marketing campaigns for a greater reputation and recognition from customers. Putting the extra effort into your visuals shows to clients and customers that you’re willing to go the extra mile, and that can work wonders in boosting your brand image and loyalty from customers.
Privacy laws for a drone or model aircraft
Privacy laws are one of several reasons why UK regulations are strict on drones. The CAA advises that anyone operating a drone does so with the privacy of others as a priority. If your drone is not a toy and is fitted with camera or video technology, you need to be mindful of not flying over people in crowds when using a drone outdoors.
This is categorised as any group of people who can’t move away quickly due to the number of people around them, regardless of the size of drone or model aircraft you’re using. A crowded event may be shopping areas, political protests, religious gatherings, crowded beaches or parks, or a concert or sporting event.
Types of drones
From 1st January 2023, new drones will be required to meet certain product standards, with classifications from C0 to C4 based on drone weights and capabilities of the equipment. This will also affect where you can fly them.
- Drones classed as C0 or C1 can be flown in open A1 sub-category.
- C2 drones can be flown in the A2 or A3 category, but if flying in A2, the drone operator must pass the A2 theory exam to gain the A2 Certificate of Competency or CofC.
- C3 and C4 drones can only be flown in the A3 category.
Unmanned aircrafts that have been fitted with cameras typically provide the option of downlinking ‘live’ video footage to the remote pilot. This provides the operator with a First Person View (FPV), also known as a Pilot’s Eye View. The remote pilot has to keep the equipment in their unaided visual line of sight, but FPV can be used if a spotter is assisting them.
Drones for indoor use
Drone flights inside of buildings don’t impact air navigation, since they can’t affect manned aircraft in UK airspace. Flights within buildings or in areas where there’s no risk of the drone impacting aircraft, such as beneath a netted structure, are not subject to the same air navigation legislation. Those operating a drone inside still need to adhere to Health and Safety at Work regulations, however, so a risk assessment should be carried out beforehand.
Legitimate interests and permissions
Drone pilots need to consider whether there are any other restrictions and legitimate interests which may affect their drone flights, such as rules set out by local authorities. The byelaws set out by local councils typically restrict taking off and landing from or on council land.
And while it isn’t an airspace restriction and isn’t considered a Geographical Zone, it is important to distinguish between permissions needed in airspace and operating from council land.
If drone pilots are given permission to operate from council land, it does not mean that they have the same permissions to fly in certain areas of airspace. Remote pilots and drone operators are required to check all restrictions which could affect their flight, and seek the relevant permissions before commencing with their operations.
It’s recommended that if you’re not sure whether drone laws and restrictions are imposed in a certain area, you seek authority from the local council or regulatory body before proceeding.
Height restrictions for drone use in the UK
Drones in the UK can be flown below an altitude of 120m or 400ft. If you’re flying a drone on hills, mountains and cliffs, you will need to adjust your flight path so that the drone is never higher than this above the earth's surface. In order to fly safely, you should also check for other aircraft that could be flying below 120m/400ft, such as military aircraft or police helicopters, and ground your drone immediately if you spot them.
Do I need a license to fly a drone or model aircraft?
If the drone weighs less than 250g and is not fitted with a camera, you don’t need a license to operate it. However, if it weighs more than this and has a camera, you will need to register it with CAA UK Drone Registration which involves taking an online safety test and registering the drone itself, to provide you with an operator ID and flyer ID. You will need both of these IDs to fly a drone over 250g.
For commercial drone flights, UK drone regulations state that you will need to ensure the drone has EC785/2004 compliant insurance to adhere to the UK drone laws. If you’re required to fly a drone closer than 150m in a built-up area, you will also need CAA GVC or CAA A2 C of C qualifications.
For those who previously held the PfCO license, which was eliminated in December 2020, there is no need to re-apply and this license will have automatically transitioned to the new qualification.
Flying commercial drones and model aircraft outdoors
In terms of flying drones for a commercial operation, UK drone laws state pilots will need to take the relevant exams for their certification, as well as familiarise themselves with the Drone Code and Drone Registration scheme before flying a drone in the UK.
If your drone has a camera and is not a toy, you’ll also be required to complete the DMARES theory test to register as an operator with the CAA. Where you can fly your drone legally will then, as with amateur drone use, determined by the mass of the drone and where you’re flying. Using drone apps can help to carry out a pre defined risk assessment, even at very short notice.
Final thoughts
Provided you follow the UK drone laws set out by the government and CAA and ensure your drone equipment suits the specific category, you can fly your drone without any issues. Simply be mindful of the people around you and respect their privacy, especially when using a drone with a camera fitted. It's important to carry out a basic flying test in a private space first to get used to flying safely, before venturing into public spaces.