
Do you need a license to fly a drone?
Not every drone pilot needs a drone licence. Under new UK drone laws, this now depends on the drone you have and where you plan to fly it.
A drone licence can be applicable for both commercial and recreational pilots. However, there are cases where a licence is not required, for instance, if you are flying far away from people.
Use our drone license calculator to find out whether you need a drone license and, if so, which licence is best suited to your DJI drone.

How old do I have to be to get a UK drone licence?
There is no age limit for a UK drone licence.
The only stipulation is that the Operator Id must belong to someone aged 18 and over.
Also, the Accountable Manager must be aged 18+ to apply for an Operational Authorisation for the Specific Category.

Is my UK drone licence valid in Europe?
No. Following Brexit, drone pilots need to re-do the A2 CofC or GVC in the EU member state they wish to fly. However, once you have an A2 CofC or GVC in one EU member state, this is valid throughout EU countries.
It is important to note that drone pilots can still operate in an EU member state in the A1 (sub 250g drone only) or A3 Subcategories of the Open Category without a drone licence, provided that they meet the necessary requirements, including registration in accordance to that country's drone registration requirements.

Do I need drone registration if I have a drone licence?
Most drone users will need to register with the CAA, regardless of whether or not they have a drone licence.
The only times that registration does not apply are:
- toys below 250g or in C0 class
- those in C0 class with no camera, whether they are a toy or not
- those below 250g with no camera and no class mark, whether they’re a toy or not
A drone licence is different to registration, and depends on the weight of your drone and how you plan to use it.

Do I need a drone licence to operate commercially?
No, not necessarily. A drone licence is not dictated by commercial or recreational flights. The deciding factors are the weight of your drone and where you plan to fly it.
In some cases, you could fly commercially without obtaining a licence: For example, taking commercial photographs with a Mavic 2 Pro while operating in the A3 subcategory (far from people) or commercial work with the Mini 2 while operating in the A1 subcategory (fly over people, but not crowds).

What types of drone licences are there?
There are two types of drone licence in the UK: The A2 CofC, and the Operational Authorisation.
The A2 CofC is for operations within the Open Category.
The Operational Authorisation is for operations in the Specific Category. Completing a GVC drone training course makes you eligible to apply for an Operational Authorisation.