What changed on 1 January 2026
The CAA lowered the weight at which you need a Flyer ID from 250g to 100g. So anyone flying a drone of 100g to 249g now has to pass the free Flyer ID test first. New drones also carry UK class marks, and UK1 to UK3 drones have Remote ID, which you must switch on.
How this is worked out
CAA registration requirements by weight | Drone | Flyer ID | Operator ID |
|---|
| Under 100g | Recommended | Optional |
| 100g to under 250g, no camera | Required | Optional |
| 100g to under 250g, with camera | Required | Required |
| 250g to under 25kg | Required | Required |
The table is taken from the CAA's Drone and Model Aircraft Code (March 2026). Drones of 25kg or more, and UK5 and UK6 class drones, fall outside the Code and need CAA authorisation.
Worked example
Sam, 15, gets a 249g camera drone for Christmas. Sam needs a Flyer ID, which means passing the free online test. Because the drone has a camera and weighs over 100g, it also needs an Operator ID. Sam is under 18, so a parent registers for the Operator ID (£12.34 a year) and puts the number on a label on the drone.
Rules that apply to every flight
- Never fly more than 120m (400ft) above the ground.
- Keep at least 50m horizontally from people. Drones under 250g, and UK0 and UK1 class drones, may fly closer and over people, but never over crowds.
- Read the full Drone Code before you fly. It covers airports, restricted areas and privacy.
This checker summarises the CAA's rules for the open category. It is not legal advice, and the CAA's own pages are the final word.
Questions people ask
Do I need to register a drone under 250g in the UK?
Since 1 January 2026, yes if it weighs 100g or more. You need a Flyer ID for any drone from 100g, and an Operator ID as well if a drone under 250g has a camera. Drones under 100g need neither, although the CAA recommends the Flyer ID test.
How much does drone registration cost?
The Flyer ID test is free. An Operator ID costs £12.34 and lasts one year, according to the CAA, so you renew it every year.
What is the difference between a Flyer ID and an Operator ID?
The Flyer ID is for the person flying: you get it by passing a free online theory test, and it lasts 5 years. The Operator ID is for the person responsible for the drone: it goes on a label on every drone you own and must be renewed each year.
Can children fly drones?
Yes. There is no minimum age for the Flyer ID test, but children under 13 must have a parent or guardian with them for it, and children under 12 must be supervised by someone aged 16 or over when flying. You must be 18 or over to get an Operator ID, so a parent or guardian registers instead.
Do the rules for my old drone change?
The weight thresholds and the Flyer ID rules apply whatever the age of the drone. New drones sold from 1 January 2026 must carry a UK class mark (UK0 to UK6), and drones with a C class mark are treated as the matching UK class until 31 December 2027. UK1, UK2 and UK3 drones have Remote ID, which you must set up and switch on before flying.