Training & Regulations
UK drone rules change January 1, 2026: What you need to know
UK drone laws: What's new for 2026. Summary of new Flyer ID requirement for 100g+ drones, Remote ID, drone class markings, and what it means for drone pilots.
If you fly a drone or model aircraft in the UK, there are important regulation changes coming into effect from January 1, 2026.
These include:
UK class marks and recognition of European C-class marks.
Flyer ID now required for anyone flying a drone weighing 100g or more.
Introduction of Remote ID.
Green flashing light requirements.
Drone laws: What's new for 2026?
Let's take a deeper dive into what's new for 2026.
For a more in-depth review of UK drone laws, read our full UK drone rules guide.
Drone class markings come into play in 2026
Class markings are a big one for 2026.
From January 1, 2026, all new drones placed on the UK market will use the UK class-marking system (UK0 to UK6).
However, the current EU C-class marks will be recognised under the equivalent UK-class mark.
E.g a C0 class drone will come under the same rules and regulations as if it were a UK0 class drone, a C1 as UK1, etc.
This prolongs their use, and in some cases, means that UK operators will benefit from greater freedoms than before.
Recognition of the EU C-class marks in the UK will run until the end of December 2027. From then on, C-marked drones that are not retrofitted with a UK mark will be considered legacy aircraft.
UK Class Mark/EU equivalent | Open Category Sub-categories |
|---|---|
UK0, UK1 (C0, C1) | Over People (A1) |
UK2 (C2) | Near People (A2, A2 CofC certification needed) |
UK2 and C2 (without A2 CofC), UK3, UK4 (C3, C4) | Far From People (A3) |
From the start of 2026, drones without a class mark can continue to be used, with their weight being the key factor in how they can be flown in the Open Category.
For more details on class markings, read our in-depth guide.
Greater flight freedoms for some drone operators
In the A2 subcategory of the Open Category, A2 CofC holders can now fly UK2-marked drones (or EU C2 drones until December 31, 2027) weighing up to 4kg and with feature-enhanced safety systems to:
Reduce the horizontal separation in normal mode to 30-metres from uninvolved people.
Enable a 5-metres horizontal separation in low-speed mode.
Users of class-marked drones weighing up to 900g can now fly in the A1 subcategory of the Open Category - allowing them to fly over people, but not crowds.
Flyer ID required for drones over 100g
The UK CAA has changed the threshold for drone registration, especially in relation to the Flyer ID.
Previously, a Flyer ID was required for anyone flying a drone weighing 250g or more.
Now, anyone flying a drone weighing 100g or more must obtain a Flyer ID - available by completing the free test on the UK CAA website.
The table below shows the new rules for Flyer ID, as well as the requirements for an Operator ID (if you own or are responsible for the drone).
Weight of drone or model aircraft | Class | Flyer ID | Operator ID |
|---|---|---|---|
250g to less than 25kg | UK1, UK2, UK3, UK4 | Required | Required |
100g to less than 250g; with a camera | UK0 with a camera | Required | Required |
100g to less than 250g; without a camera | UK0 without a camera | Required | Optional |
Less than 100g | Not applicable | Recommended | Optional |
You do not need a Flyer ID or Operator ID if you will only fly indoors or where there is no possibility of your aircraft escaping, such as within a closed netted area.
Remote ID
Before 2026, Remote ID was not mandatory in the UK. But from January 1, 2026, drone pilots will need to start to adhere to Remote ID requirements.
But this will not apply to everyone straight away.
From 2026, UK class-marked drones (UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5, and UK6) will need to broadcast their Operator's Remote ID and information when flying.
From January 1, 2028, Remote ID will become a requirement for a greater number of drone pilots, including those flying UK0 weighing 100g or more with a camera, UK4 (e.g. model aircraft), legacy drones (ie not UK class-marked weighing 100g or more with a camera), and privately built platforms weighing 100g or more with a camera.
Read our Remote ID blog for more details.
Green flashing light at night
A new requirement for 2026 is that, if you fly a drone or model aircraft at night, your aircraft must have a green flashing light turned on.
If you want to fly at night and your drone or model aircraft does not have a built-in green flashing light, you must securely fit a specialist drone green flashing light.
The UK CAA says that the weight of the green flashing light add-on is included in the overall weight of the drone or model aircraft, so you must check to see if the weight of the light means different regulations apply to your operation.
For Specific Category operations, the UK CAA says drones must have at least one green flashing light installed for night visibility — unless exempted, where appropriate, through an Operational Authorisation.
Why the 2026 drone law changes matter
January is one of the busiest times of the year for new drone pilots — with thousands of drones given as gifts and flown for the first time.
But it also means that it’s more important than ever to know your responsibilities before take-off.
heliguy™ has in-house training instructors and regulatory specialists. Contact us if you need advice on these changes to UK drone rules.
