🇬🇧 Flying your drone in United Kingdom
Authority: CAA · reviewed 2026-07-16
Operator ID (paid, yearly) for camera drones or ≥250 g, Flyer ID test for ≥250 g, 120 m ceiling, large London restriction zones.
The rules
- Operator ID required for any drone with a camera (except toys) or ≥250 g — label it on the aircraft. Renewed yearly.
- Flyer ID (free online test) required to fly drones ≥250 g.
- Sub-250 g camera drones may fly in residential and recreational areas; keep VLOS and stay under 120 m (400 ft).
- Heavier drones without class marks fly under A3-equivalent distances: 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.
- London: extensive restricted airspace (airports, royal parks bylaws) — check NATS Drone Assist before flight.
Documents to carry
- CAA Operator ID (on aircraft)
- Flyer ID
- Insurance certificate (required for commercial ops)
- Battery Wh labels
Batteries on the flight over
Standard IATA rules: carry-on only, ≤100 Wh unrestricted, 100–160 Wh with airline approval (max 2).
Traveling to United Kingdom?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 CAA before flying.