Open Category
Designed for low-risk flying following the Drone Code. Ideal for recreational pilots and straightforward commercial work using lighter drones.
Explore the Open CategoryOpen, Specific & Certified
UK Drone Operating Categories
See which UK drone operating category (Open, Specific, or Certified) applies to your flight before you take off. The requirements depend on your drone, how you use it, and the risks involved. Stay legal and safe with up-to-date CAA rules.
Choose the right operating category for your flight
Each category has its own risk profile, training expectations, and paperwork. Start with the overview below, then dive into the dedicated page for the category that matches your aircraft and mission profile.
How to decide where you fit
Use these checkpoints to work out whether you belong in the Open, Specific, or Certified Category before you plan a flight.
1
Check the risk level
Lightweight drones flown away from people usually stay in the Open Category. As soon as your operation could endanger uninvolved people or involve heavier aircraft, explore the Specific Category.
2
Consider your mission type
Commercial filming in a town centre, infrastructure inspections, BVLOS work, or anything needing bespoke mitigations will push you into the Specific Category and require CAA approval.
3
Look at your aircraft
Class marks, weight, and equipment (like Remote ID) all influence where you can operate. Heavier or uncertified aircraft may need a risk assessment even for simple missions.
4
When in doubt, escalate
If your operation could resemble manned aviation such as flying very large drones, carrying passengers, or transporting high-risk dangerous goods, you will likely be in the Certified Category and must follow full aviation certification requirements.
Registration Requirements
Before flying most drones or model aircraft outdoors in the UK you must pass a theory test to get a Flyer ID and, in many cases, register for an Operator ID. It is against the law to fly without the required IDs.
Which IDs do you need?
Requirements are based on the weight or class of the drone or model aircraft.
| Weight or Class | Flyer ID | Operator ID |
|---|---|---|
| 250 g to less than 25 kg, including UK1, UK2, UK3 or UK4 class | Required | Required |
| 100 g to less than 250 g, with a camera (UK0 with a camera) | Required | Required |
| 100 g to less than 250 g, without a camera (UK0 without a camera) | Required | Optional |
| Less than 100 g (not class-marked) | Recommended | Optional |
Notes:
- IDs apply to outdoor flight. Indoor use is not covered by airspace rules, but other laws may still apply.
- If you are responsible for a child under 13, use the CAA service for child Flyer IDs.
- Breaking the law can lead to fines. The most serious offences can lead to imprisonment.
UK Class Marks
From 1 January 2026, any new model of drone or model aircraft placed on the market in the UK must have a UK class mark between UK0 and UK6. These class marks show that the aircraft meets specific safety, technical and design standards for its intended category of operation.
Drones and model aircraft sold or distributed before 1 January 2026 are considered legacy aircraft. You can still fly them, but you must follow the operational rules based on their weight and category rather than a class mark.
You can check if your drone or model aircraft has a UK class mark by looking for a visible label such as UK1, UK2, or UK3 on the product or packaging.
Drones with European “C” class marks (C0-C6) are treated as equivalent to the matching UK class mark until 31 December 2027. For example, a C1 drone can be flown as a UK1 drone. After that date, only UK-marked drones will be recognised for new sales or compliance purposes.
Overview of UK Class Marks
Each class mark defines the maximum weight and category the drone or model aircraft can be used in.
| Class Mark | Operating Category | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|
| UK0 | Open - Over People (A1) | Less than 250 g |
| UK1 | Open - Over People (A1) | Less than 900 g |
| UK2 | Open - Near People (A2) OR Open - Far From People (A3) |
Less than 4 kg |
| UK3 | Open - Far From People (A3) | Less than 25 kg |
| UK4 (i.e. Model Aircraft) | Open - Far From People (A3) | Less than 25 kg |
| UK5 | Specific Category | Less than 25 kg |
| UK6 | Specific Category | Less than 25 kg |
Notes:
- Legacy drones and model aircraft without a UK class mark can continue to be sold and flown under existing weight-based rules.
- All new drones placed on the market from 1 January 2026 must display a valid UK class mark (UK0-UK6).
- European C-class drones can be used in the equivalent UK class until 31 December 2027.
- To fly UK5 or UK6 class drones, you must hold a Specific Category Operational Authorisation from the CAA.
Remote ID Requirements
Remote ID lets a drone or model aircraft broadcast its identity and location while flying, usually over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It helps keep the skies safe and allows police and other authorities to check whether a flight is compliant. You must switch on Remote ID from the date it becomes mandatory for your drone or model aircraft.
When does Remote ID become mandatory?
Dates depend on the class mark and the category you are flying in. From 1 January 2028 Remote ID is required for almost all drones and model aircraft unless you have a CAA exemption.
| Drone Class or Type | Open Category | Specific Category (OA issued before 1 Jan 2026) | Specific Category (OA issued from 1 Jan 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK0 with a camera, 100 g or more | 1 January 2028 | 1 January 2028 | 1 January 2028 |
| UK1, UK2, UK3 | 1 January 2026 | 1 January 2026 | 1 January 2026 |
| UK4 (for example, model aircraft) | 1 January 2028 | 1 January 2028 | 1 January 2028 |
| UK5 and UK6 | Not applicable | 1 January 2026 | 1 January 2026 |
| Legacy (not UK class-marked) with a camera, 100 g or more | 1 January 2028 | 1 January 2028 | 1 January 2028 |
| Privately built with a camera, 100 g or more | 1 January 2028 | 1 January 2028 | 1 January 2028 |
Notes:
- You must have Remote ID enabled whenever you fly from the applicable date.
- The period up to 1 January 2028 allows time for legacy, privately built, and model aircraft to add Remote ID capability.
- The CAA recommends enabling Remote ID now if your system supports it, even if it is not yet mandatory for your flights.
Drone Insurance Requirements
Insurance requirements for drones in the UK are set by UK-retained Regulation (EC) 785/2004. Whether insurance is required depends on the purpose of the operation and whether the aircraft falls within an Article 2 exemption.
All commercial drone operations must have third-party liability insurance that meets Regulation (EC) 785/2004, regardless of aircraft weight.
For recreational or sporting use, insurance is not legally required in certain cases, but pilots and operators remain legally responsible for any injury or damage they cause.
Drone Insurance Requirements (UK Reg EC 785/2004)
“Model aircraft” means an unmanned aircraft used for sporting and recreational purposes, flown by direct control inputs made by the remote pilot without any autonomous capability other than for flight stabilisation purposes.
| Aircraft and weight | Purpose of use | Insurance required? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any drone or model aircraft (any weight) | Commercial or paid work | Yes | All commercial operations must be insured in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) 785/2004. Article 2 exemptions do not apply once the operation is commercial. |
| Model aircraft under 20 kg | Recreation or sport only | No | Exempt under Article 2(b) of Regulation (EC) 785/2004. Applies only to non-commercial model aircraft as defined in CAP 722D and IR 2019/947 (direct manual control, no autonomous capability beyond stabilisation). |
| Model aircraft under 20 kg | Commercial or paid work | Yes | The Article 2(b) exemption applies only to non-commercial use. Once used commercially, insurance is mandatory under Article 4. |
| Any aircraft under 500 kg | Recreation, sport, or other non-commercial purposes | No | Exempt under Article 2(g) of Regulation (EC) 785/2004, provided the aircraft is being used for non-commercial purposes. |
| Any aircraft under 500 kg | Commercial or paid work | Yes | The Article 2(g) exemption applies only to non-commercial purposes. For commercial operations, insurance is required under Article 4. |
| Any aircraft with an MTOM of 500 kg or more | Any purpose | Yes | Insurance is mandatory for all aircraft at or above 500 kg, regardless of how they are used. |
Note: Although insurance is not legally required for some recreational or sporting operations, remote pilots and UAS operators remain fully liable for any injury or damage they cause. The CAA therefore recommends third-party insurance even where it is not mandatory.
Key Points to Remember
- Operator ID: Needed by anyone responsible for a drone with a camera from 100 g upwards and for all drones at 250 g or more. If 100-250 g with no camera, Operator ID is optional.
- Flyer ID: Needed by anyone who flies a drone weighing 100 g or more.
- A2 CofC: Needed to fly in the Open A2 Category. Valid for 5 years.
- GVC or RPC-L1: Needed to fly in the Specific Category under a PDRA-01 OA. Valid for 5 years.
- Follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code: This sets out safety and privacy requirements.
- Never fly above 120 m (400 ft) or beyond VLOS unless explicitly permitted by a CAA Operational Authorisation.
- Check for local restrictions: You must get permission to fly in FRZs or sensitive locations.
- Outdoor flights only: UK Drone Regulations apply to outdoor flights. Indoor operations are not regulated by airspace rules but may still fall under privacy, insurance, or safety law.
- Remote ID: Direct RID applies from 1 January 2026 for UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5 and UK6. From 1 January 2028 it applies to UK0, legacy and privately built aircraft ≥100 g with a camera, and model aircraft unless exempted.