The £12 ID That Stops a £1,000 Fine: UK Drone Laws Made Simple
Quick Answer
Outdoors in the UK, aircraft weighing 100g or more need a Flyer ID. From 100g to under 250g, an Operator ID is also required with a camera; without one, it is optional. At 250g or more, both IDs are required.
Start With Flying Weight, Camera and Class Mark
Weigh the aircraft as it will fly, including its battery, camera, payload and any night strobe. Then check for a UK or European class mark.
| Aircraft as flown | Flyer ID | Operator ID | Open-category route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 100g | Recommended, not required | Optional | Usually A1 |
| 100g to under 250g, no camera | Required | Optional | A1 if UK0, C0/C1 during transition, or legacy under 250g |
| 100g to under 250g, with camera | Required | Required | A1 if UK0, C0/C1 during transition, or legacy under 250g |
| 250g to under 25kg | Required | Required | Depends on class mark, weight and qualification |
This follows the current CAA registration table. A camera does not determine the Flyer ID: a 150g UK0 aircraft without one still needs a Flyer ID.
Two Real Aircraft, Two Different Answers
The BETAFPV Air75 II listing gives a 20.2-21.3g dry weight; it is a 1S whoop with camera and video transmitter fitted. Its intended battery does not push it to 100g. By contrast, the camera-equipped DJI Neo has an approximately 135g take-off weight, so its operator needs an Operator ID and its pilot needs a Flyer ID outdoors.
Our beginner-friendly FPV kits and ready-to-fly drones show why “under 250g” no longer means “no registration”.
Operator ID and Flyer ID Are Different
Operator ID: belongs to the person responsible for the aircraft, costs £12.34 and lasts one year. One ID covers their fleet. The operator must be 18 or over.
Flyer ID: belongs to the pilot. The free CAA test has 20 questions, requires 16 correct answers and lasts five years. See our Operator ID versus Flyer ID guide.
Class Marks and Where You Can Fly
| Class or aircraft | Maximum weight | Open sub-category |
|---|---|---|
| UK0 or UK1 | Under 250g / under 900g | A1: Over People, but never over crowds |
| UK2 | Under 4kg | A2 with an A2 CofC, otherwise A3 |
| UK3 or UK4 | Under 25kg | A3 |
| Legacy, no class mark | Under 250g / under 2kg / under 25kg | A1 / A2 with A2 CofC / A3 respectively |
New models placed on the UK market from 1 January 2026 must carry a UK0-UK6 class mark. European C0-C4 marks can be treated as the corresponding UK class until 31 December 2027. UK5 and UK6 operations require CAA Operational Authorisation, so they do not belong in an Open-category shopping table.
In A3, stay at least 50m horizontally from uninvolved people and individual buildings, and 150m from residential, recreational, commercial or industrial areas. The general ceiling is 120m (400ft), subject to restrictions. Check airport Flight Restriction Zones with DroneScene or the Drone Safety Map before every flight.
Remote ID, Night Flying and FPV
Remote ID is already required for UK1, UK2 and UK3 aircraft in the Open category. From 1 January 2028 it extends to camera-equipped UK0, legacy and privately built aircraft weighing 100g or more, plus UK4 unless exempted. UK5 and UK6 use Remote ID under Specific-category authorisations, not the Open category.
Every Open-category night flight needs an active green flashing light. Include an aftermarket light’s weight when choosing the category.
FPV does not permit beyond-visual-line-of-sight flight. An observer must stand next to the pilot, remain able to communicate and keep the aircraft in direct sight with a full view of the surrounding airspace. Our FPV system explainer covers the equipment; the legal responsibility remains with the pilot.
Before Take-Off
Use the CAA registration service, check airspace with DroneScene or the Drone Safety Map, and follow our FPV pre-flight checklist.
Rules and fees can change. Confirm the current position on the official CAA drones page before operating.
FAQ
My drone weighs 150g, has a UK0 mark and no camera. Do I need a Flyer ID?
Yes. Its 100g-or-more flying weight makes the Flyer ID mandatory. Without a camera, the Operator ID remains optional until the aircraft reaches 250g.
Do I need to register a camera drone under 250g?
From 100g to under 250g, yes: the pilot needs a Flyer ID and the operator needs an Operator ID. Below 100g, both are optional, although the CAA recommends taking the Flyer ID test.
Can I fly a drone at night?
Yes in the Open category if the flight otherwise complies and a green flashing light remains active. Add the light before weighing the aircraft.
Can I fly FPV without a spotter?
Not outdoors under the standard Open-category FPV rules. The observer must stand next to you and maintain direct sight and awareness of the surrounding airspace.