FAA Drone Regulations 2026: Registration, TRUST and Part 107

Drones are registered online in FAADroneZone. Recreational flyers must register any drone of 250 g (0.55 lb) or more. Under Part 107, every drone must be registered, whatever its weight.

What it costs

• Recreational: $5 covers all the drones in your inventory and is valid for three years.
• Part 107: $5 per drone, valid for three years.

A drone registered for recreational flying cannot be flown under Part 107, and a registration cannot be moved between the two.

What you need

You must be at least 13 years old. If the owner is younger, someone aged 13 or older must register the drone. You need a physical and mailing address, an email address, a phone number, the make and model of the drone, its Remote ID serial number if it has one, and a credit or debit card.

After you register

Label every drone on the outside with the registration number before you fly. Carry the registration certificate, on paper or digitally, and show it to any federal, state or local law enforcement officer who asks. If someone else flies your drone, they must carry it too. Renew the registration in FAADroneZone when it expires.

Remote ID

Since 16 September 2023, every drone that must be registered also has to broadcast Remote ID. You can fly a drone with built-in Standard Remote ID, attach a Remote ID broadcast module, or fly without Remote ID only inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). With a broadcast module you must be able to see the drone throughout the flight.

Register with the authority

The US has two sets of rules, and which one applies decides what "license" you need.

Flying for fun: the TRUST certificate

If you fly purely for recreation, you must pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) before you fly and carry proof that you passed. TRUST applies whatever your drone weighs. The test is free and online, taken through one of the FAA-approved test administrators. You can correct every answer until you reach 100%, then you download or print your certificate. The administrators do not keep a copy, so if you lose it you must take the test again.

Flying for work: the Part 107 certificate

Almost every flight that is not purely recreational falls under Part 107, also called the Small UAS Rule. Getting paid is not the deciding factor: taking photos to sell a property, inspecting a roof or volunteering for a non-profit all count. When in doubt, the FAA says to assume Part 107.

To fly under Part 107 you need a Remote Pilot Certificate. You must be at least 16, able to read, speak, write and understand English, and pass the knowledge test "Unmanned Aircraft General – Small" at an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. To keep the certificate current you complete a free online recurrent training course every 24 calendar months.

Read more: Drone license guide: TRUST vs Part 107

You are responsible for knowing where it is safe and legal to fly. The FAA's B4UFLY apps show controlled airspace, airports, temporary restrictions and national parks on a map.

Drone height limit: 400 ft

Recreational flyers may fly at or below 400 ft (about 120 m) in uncontrolled airspace (Class G). Keep the drone within visual line of sight, or use a visual observer standing next to you, and give way to all other aircraft.

Airports and controlled airspace

In controlled airspace around airports (Class B, C, D and surface Class E) you need FAA authorization before you fly. You can get it automatically through LAANC, or through FAADroneZone where LAANC is not available. Near airports in uncontrolled airspace no authorization is needed below 400 ft, but you must stay clear of traffic patterns and give way to aircraft.

Places where drones are banned

• Stadiums: within 3 nautical miles of major league baseball, NFL, NCAA Division One football and major motor races, from one hour before until one hour after the event.
• Washington, DC: flying within 15 miles of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is prohibited without specific authorization.
• Emergencies: never fly over wildfires, hurricanes or rescue operations.
• Temporary Flight Restrictions, prohibited areas and restricted areas.
• National parks: launching, landing and flying drones is banned on land and water managed by the National Park Service.

Flying at night

Under Part 107 you may fly at night if the drone has anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles. Recreational flyers must still keep the drone within visual line of sight and follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized community-based organization.

FAA B4UFLY apps · Read the official rules

Read more: Drone no-fly zone map: B4UFLY and LAANC

Visitors can fly drones for fun in the US, but the drone must meet the FAA Remote ID rules.

• If your drone is registered in your home country and has FAA Remote ID, submit a Notice of Identification (NOI) in FAADroneZone before your first flight.
• If it is not registered abroad, or has no Remote ID, follow the FAA registration process in FAADroneZone. You get a document that recognises your ownership of the drone. Without Remote ID you may only fly inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA).

Recreational visitors follow the same rules as US flyers, including the free TRUST test.

Flying commercially as a visitor

The FAA does not recognise foreign remote pilot certificates, and the Part 107 knowledge test can only be taken at testing centers in the US. You also need a foreign aircraft permit from the Department of Transportation. Apply at least 15 days before the work starts: it can take around 30 days.

A drone under 250 g (0.55 lb) flown purely for fun does not need to be registered, and since Remote ID only applies to drones that must be registered, it does not need Remote ID either. You still need the TRUST certificate, and all the airspace rules apply.

Under Part 107 there is no weight exception: every drone must be registered and broadcast Remote ID, even one under 250 g.

Part 107 covers drones under 55 lb flown for work, business or any other non-recreational purpose. You need a Remote Pilot Certificate, must register each drone separately for $5, and every drone must broadcast Remote ID.

How to get a Remote Pilot Certificate

1. Create an IACRA profile to get an FAA Tracking Number (FTN).
2. Book an appointment at an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center and bring a government-issued photo ID.
3. Pass the initial knowledge test "Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)".
4. Complete FAA Form 8710-13 in IACRA with your 17-digit Knowledge Test Exam ID.
5. After the TSA security background check, print your temporary certificate.
6. The permanent certificate arrives by mail.

Every 24 calendar months you must complete the free online recurrent training (ALC-677) to keep flying under Part 107.

Since 21 April 2021, Part 107 allows routine flights at night with anti-collision lighting, and some flights over people, without a waiver. To fly outside the Part 107 rules, you apply for a waiver in FAADroneZone.

The FAA rules for recreational flyers and for Part 107 do not include an insurance requirement. Clients, venues and landowners can still ask for liability cover before they let you fly.

Liability cover protects you if your drone injures someone or damages property. For hobby pilots, check whether a membership in a community-based organization or your home insurance already covers drones before you buy a separate policy.

Read more: Drone insurance in the US: what you need and what it costs

Failing to register a drone that must be registered can lead to civil penalties of up to $27,500. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and up to three years in prison.

Flying in a dangerous way or breaking the other rules can lead to FAA enforcement action. Flying in the restricted airspace around Washington, DC carries stiff fines and criminal penalties.

Drones of 55 lb or more cannot be registered in FAADroneZone and need a separate registration process. Flying them for work needs a special FAA exemption.

• 1 February 2024: B4UFLY moved to apps from six FAA-approved companies. Source
• 16 September 2023: Every drone that must be registered also has to broadcast Remote ID. Source

• Recreational Flyers & Community-Based Organizations (checked 30 October 2026)
• The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) (checked 30 October 2026)
• How to Register Your Drone (checked 30 October 2026)
• Remote Identification of Drones (checked 30 October 2026)
• Become a Certificated Remote Pilot (checked 30 October 2026)
• Operations Over People and at night (checked 30 October 2026)
• Information for International UAS Operators (checked 30 October 2026)
• Where Can I Fly? (checked 30 October 2026)
• Flying Near Airports (checked 30 October 2026)
• Stadiums and Sporting Events (checked 30 October 2026)
• DC Area Prohibited & Restricted Airspace (checked 30 October 2026)
• Is there a penalty for failing to register? (checked 30 October 2026)
• National Park Service: drone use prohibited (Shenandoah) (checked 30 October 2026)