🇨🇦 Flying your drone in Canada
Authority: Transport Canada · reviewed 2026-07-16
≥250 g needs registration AND a pilot certificate (Basic or Advanced exam). Sub-250 g is largely exempt but common-sense rules apply.
The rules
- Drones 250 g – 25 kg must be registered with Transport Canada and marked with the registration number.
- Pilots of ≥250 g drones need a Pilot Certificate: Basic Operations (online exam) or Advanced Operations (exam + flight review) depending on airspace/proximity to people.
- Foreign visitors need Transport Canada approval to operate ≥250 g drones — plan well ahead; sub-250 g avoids this entirely.
- Max altitude 122 m (400 ft); stay 5.6 km from airports and 1.9 km from heliports for Basic ops.
- National parks: drone use is prohibited without a permit from Parks Canada.
Documents to carry
- Registration certificate
- Pilot certificate (or TC approval for foreigners)
- Battery Wh labels
Batteries on the flight over
Standard IATA rules; carry-on only.
Traveling to Canada?SkyDocket pilots generate a border packet for this destination from their own document vault — registrations, certificates, insurance, and battery specs in one printable page.
Generate border packet Preparation guidance reviewed against public sources on 2026-07-16 — not legal advice. Regulations change; always confirm with Transport Canada before flying.