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.
Open Category Low Risk
Who is this category for?
For most recreational flyers, hobbyists, and many straightforward commercial users.
Overview
The Open Category is designed for low-risk flights where safety requirements are easy to follow. Most people flying drones for fun or simple commercial work fall into this category if they stick to the basic rules set out in the Drone and Model Aircraft Code.
Key Requirements
- No CAA authorisation needed if following the published rules.
- Always keep your drone below 120 m (≈400 ft) AGL and within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS).
- You must have an Operator ID if your drone has a camera and/or is 250 g or above.
- You must have a Flyer ID to fly drones weighing 250 g or more.
- Respect privacy and follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code at all times.
Where/How You Can Operate
- In most areas, including residential, commercial, and rural spaces depending on subcategory.
- No permission is needed for most flights, except in certain restricted zones (e.g. FRZs).
- May operate for both recreational and some commercial uses without extra CAA permission.
Restrictions
- Never fly over crowds or assemblies of people.
- Never fly in restricted airspace without specific permission.
- Must remain below 120 m (400 ft) AGL and within VLOS at all times.
- Must not fly if unfit or impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Qualification(s) Needed
- No formal training except required for drones under 250 g (Open A1 Category). Operator ID still required.
- A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) for the Open A2 Category (under 2 kg).
- Flyer ID required for any drone weighing over 250 g.
Authorisation(s) Needed
- No CAA Operational Authorisation required, as long as you stay within Open Category rules.
Subcategories
- Drone weight: Less than 250 g.
- Qualification requirements: Operator ID (if the drone has a camera), Flyer ID recommended.
- Where you can fly: Over people (but never over crowds), in all areas including residential and commercial spaces.
Key rules:
- Never fly over assemblies or groups of people.
- Respect privacy and follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code at all times.
- Drone weight: Less than 2 kg.
- Qualification requirements: Operator ID, Flyer ID, and A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC).
- Where you can fly: In built-up areas, but you must not intentionally fly closer than 50 m horizontally to uninvolved people and must never fly over them.
Key rules:
- You can fly in residential, commercial, recreational, or industrial areas.
- Never intentionally fly closer than 50 m horizontally to uninvolved people and never fly over them.
- Never fly over assemblies or groups of people.
- Respect privacy and follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code at all times.
- Drone weight: Less than 25 kg.
- Qualification requirements: Operator ID, Flyer ID.
- Where you can fly: Far away from people and built-up areas.
Key rules:
- Stay at least 150 m away horizontally from residential, commercial, recreational, or industrial areas.
- Never fly near or over uninvolved people.
- Never fly over assemblies or groups of people.
- Respect privacy and follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code at all times.
Example Operations
- Flying a small camera drone in your local park.
- Aerial photography of countryside or non-crowded spaces.
- Real estate photography in an open area.
Note: Open Category is intended for simple, low-risk flights. For more complex or higher-risk activities, see the Specific or Certified Categories.
Specific Category Moderate Risk
Who is this category for?
For drone operations involving higher risk than permitted in the Open Category—such as business use in built-up areas, heavier drones, or flights closer to people.
Overview
The Specific Category is for complex, higher-risk or commercial drone flights not covered by Open Category rules. This includes most urban, industrial, or specialised business operations. Approval is needed before you fly.
Key Requirements
- CAA Operational Authorisation (OA) required.
- Standard operations: Most VLOS work in built-up areas is covered by 'PDRA-01'.
- Custom operations: Anything not covered by PDRA-01 must apply via the UK SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment).
- Pilot must hold a General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) or Level 1, 2 3 or 4 Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Risk assessment submitted as part of your OA application required.
- Third-party liability insurance that complies with the regulatory requirements in EC-785/2004 is required.
Where/How You Can Operate
- Urban or built-up areas, depending on OA or SORA approval.
- May operate closer to uninvolved people than Open Category if explicitly permitted in your authorisation.
- Specialised business, industrial, or infrastructure operations allowed under the right authorisation.
Restrictions
- Must comply with all OA or SORA conditions.
- Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) only with explicit SORA approval.
- No flying outside the approved area, altitude, or operational limits.
Qualification(s) Needed
- General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) for PDRA-01.
- Level 1, 2, 3, or 4 Remote Pilot Certificate for other SORA operations.
- Additional training may be required depending on operation type.
- Operators may hold both a GVC and a Remote Pilot Certificate.
Authorisation(s) Needed
- CAA Operational Authorisation (OA), either PDRA-01 or via a SORA.
- Additional permissions for restricted zones, if needed.
Variants
- Type: Standard CAA scenario for VLOS work in built-up areas.
- Typical uses: Most common authorisation for commercial operators in towns and cities, including photography, surveying, and inspections where VLOS is maintained.
- Risk level: Moderate (subject to strict conditions and limits).
- Authorisation: Requires CAA Operational Authorisation (OA) and a valid General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC).
Key rules:
- Stay within VLOS at all times.
- No flight within 50 m horizontally of uninvolved people (unless further restricted).
- No flight over assemblies of people, crowds, or in high-risk areas unless explicitly permitted by your OA.
- All operations must comply with the PDRA-01 conditions set out by the CAA.
Examples:
- Commercial real estate drone surveys in towns/cities.
- Filming for TV/news in urban environments.
- Infrastructure or roof inspection where public access can be controlled.
- Type: Bespoke risk assessment for operations not covered by PDRA-01.
- Typical uses: Complex, higher-risk, or non-standard operations (e.g. BVLOS, swarms, close proximity to people, crop spraying, dropping items).
- Risk level: Varies (assessed per operation, can be significant).
- Authorisation: Requires CAA OA based on an approved SORA; pilot qualifications vary by risk level (Remote Pilot Certificate Level 1–4).
Key rules:
- Must comply with all mitigations and conditions required in your approved SORA.
- BVLOS, flight near crowds, or dangerous goods only if specifically authorised.
- Must maintain additional risk controls as specified by the CAA (e.g. additional observers, emergency response plans).
Examples:
- BVLOS pipeline or powerline inspection in remote areas.
- Large drone swarms for research or entertainment.
- Spraying crops or dropping supplies using a drone.
- Flying closer to people/crowds than permitted under PDRA-01.
Example Operations
- Operating in towns or cities with heavier drones.
- Flying closer to uninvolved people than Open Category allows.
- Specialised work such as industrial inspection, infrastructure surveys, or BVLOS operations.
- Filming for TV/news in urban environments.
- Bespoke aerial operations with complex safety requirements.
Note: UK SORA replaced the previous Operating Safety Case (OSC) system in April 2025. If you are unsure whether you need Specific Category approval, seek professional advice.
Certified Category High Risk
Who is this category for?
For operations equivalent in risk to manned aviation, such as very large drones over crowds, passenger transport, or carriage of high-risk dangerous goods.
Overview
The Certified Category is for the most complex and highest-risk operations, where drone flights are comparable to manned aircraft. This includes large drones carrying people or hazardous goods, and requires full aviation certification for the aircraft, operator, and pilot.
Key Requirements
- Full CAA certification for the aircraft, operator, and remote pilots, to the same standard as manned aviation.
- Aircraft must meet design and airworthiness requirements.
- Organisation must have a comprehensive safety management system and appropriate insurance.
- Pilot(s) must meet equivalent qualifications and experience as commercial pilots.
Restrictions
- Extensive CAA approval required for every aspect of the operation.
- Operators must comply with full aviation regulation and oversight. This includes airworthiness approval, pilot licensing, and continuous airworthiness management.
- Very few organisations in the UK currently operate in this category.
Qualification(s) and Authorisation(s) Needed
- Pilot(s) require full professional/aviation qualifications equivalent to those for manned aircraft operations.
- CAA certification for aircraft, operator, and pilot(s), including operational approval for each flight type.
Example Operations
- Drones with a characteristic dimension greater than 3 metres flying over large assemblies of people.
- Drone passenger or air taxi services.
- Carriage of high-risk dangerous goods (e.g. hazardous chemicals) over built-up areas.
Note: Very few UK operators fall under the Certified Category. If you are unsure, you are almost certainly not in this category.
Key Points to Remember
- Operator ID: Needed by anyone responsible for a drone with a camera or over 250g.
- Flyer ID: Needed by anyone who flies a drone weighing 250g or more, or any drone with a camera.
- A2 CofC: Needed to fly in the Open A2 Category. Valid for 5 years.
- GVC: 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 outside VLOS unless you have specific CAA authorisation.
- Check for local restrictions: You must get permission to fly in FRZs or sensitive locations.
- Outdoor flights only: UK Drone Regulations only apply to outdoor flights. Indoor operations are not regulated by airspace rules but may still fall under privacy, insurance, or safety law.
Glossary
- CAA (Civil Aviation Authority)
- The UK's independent aviation regulator, overseeing safety, airspace and economic regulation of civil aviation, including drones and other UAS.
- Operator ID
- A unique number issued by the CAA to the person or organisation that is legally responsible for a drone or model aircraft; it must be affixed to any aircraft over 250 g or with a camera and is renewable every 12 months.
- BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight)
- Operations where the pilot no longer has direct visual contact with the aircraft; permitted only under a Specific Category UK SORA Operational Authorisation with suitable mitigations such as detect-and-avoid.
- EVLOS (Extended Visual Line of Sight)
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Operations where the aircraft is flown beyond the direct line of sight of the remote pilot, but remains within visual range of a trained observer who maintains unaided visual contact. The observer assists the pilot in situational awareness and collision avoidance. EVLOS is permitted under a Specific Category Operational Authorisation and requires effective communication between the pilot and observer at all times.
EVLOS is no longer considered a type of operation by the CAA; any operation previously classified as EVLOS is now considered a form of BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) known as BVLOS VM (Beyond Visual Line of Sight with Visual Mitigation) and must meet all applicable BVLOS requirements under the UK SORA framework. - BVLOS VM (Beyond Visual Line of Sight with Visual Mitigation)
- A subset of Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations where the risk of airborne collisions is mitigated by deploying trained visual observers (Visual Mitigation personnel) along the flight path. These observers are positioned to maintain unaided visual contact with the airspace around the drone, not necessarily the drone itself. BVLOS-VM operations are typically authorised under the Specific Category with a UK SORA Operational Authorisation and must include clearly defined observer roles, communications protocols, and emergency procedures.
- VLOS (Visual Line of Sight)
- A type of UAS operation in which, the remote pilot is able to maintain continuous unaided visual contact with the unmanned aircraft, allowing the remote pilot to control the flight path of the unmanned aircraft in relation to other aircraft, people and obstacles for the purpose of avoiding collisions.
- NOTAM (Notice to Airmen / Notice to Air Missions)
- A short-term advisory issued by aviation authorities to alert pilots and airspace users to temporary changes or hazards affecting flight safety. This may include information on airspace restrictions, drone flight prohibitions, military exercises, airshows, or emergency response zones. NOTAMs are published via the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) and should always be checked before any drone operation, especially in the Specific or Certified Categories.
- Drone Assist / Altitude Angel Drone Safety Map
- A free interactive map and situational awareness tool developed by Altitude Angel and endorsed by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. It displays live NOTAMs, airspace restrictions, FRZs, ground hazards, and other safety information relevant to drone flights. Available as a mobile app and web platform, Drone Assist helps operators plan safe and legal flights by identifying no-fly zones and notifying relevant authorities of planned operations in some areas.
- GVC (General Visual Line of Sight Certificate)
- The primary CAA qualification for Specific Category drone operations, required for most commercial flights under an Operational Authorisation. The GVC covers practical and theoretical aspects of safe VLOS flying.
- Assemblies of People
- Large gatherings where people cannot move away quickly in the event of an incident, such as concerts, festivals, sporting events, demonstrations, or crowded streets. Drone flights over or close to assemblies are heavily restricted or prohibited.
- Remote Pilot Certificate
- A formal qualification required for some advanced Specific Category or Certified Category drone operations, typically involving more complex risk or airspace scenarios.
- Drone and Model Aircraft Code
- The official UK rules and guidance for flying drones and model aircraft safely and legally in the Open Category, covering privacy, safety, and airspace awareness. Every pilot should know and follow the Code.
- UK SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment)
- The CAA's step-by-step risk-assessment process for Specific Category drone flights that aren't covered under Pre-Defined Risk Assessment 01 (PDRA-01). It weighs ground and air hazards, assigns a 'SAIL' score and sets the safety measures you must meet. UK SORA went live on 23 April 2025, replacing the former Operating Safety Case (OSC) method.
- PDRA-01 (Pre-Defined Risk Assessment 01)
- A standardised risk assessment published by the UK CAA that allows approved VLOS drone operations within built-up areas under the Specific Category.
- Flyer ID
- Identification number issued by the CAA to a remote pilot that has passed the CAA's online theory test; required before flying any drone ≥ 250 g. Valid for five years.
- OA (Operational Authorisation)
- Written permission issued by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) allowing drone flights in the Specific Category, such as PDRA-01 or UK SORA operations. The OA sets the limits and safety requirements for your planned activities beyond the Open Category rules.
- UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System)
- An unmanned aircraft together with the control station and data-link equipment needed for its safe operation; commonly called a drone.
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
- The UK GDPR is the UK's version of the EU General Data Protection Regulation, governing processing of personal data.
- ICO (Information Commissioner's Office)
- The UK's independent authority that promotes openness by public bodies and safeguards individual data-privacy rights.
- AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication)
- Official publication containing aeronautical information essential to air navigation, including UK airspace data.
- NATS (National Air Traffic Services)
- The UK's main air traffic control service provider, managing civil airspace in the UK.
- CAP 722
- A UK CAA publication series (CAP) providing guidance on unmanned aircraft systems operations.
- FRZ (Flight Restriction Zone)
- A legally defined zone around a protected aerodrome comprising its ATZ and runway protection areas; drones may enter only with explicit aerodrome or ATC permission.
- ATZ (Aerodrome Traffic Zone)
- A cylinder of airspace (typically 2 NM radius to 2 000 ft AAL) established to protect traffic at an aerodrome; forms part of many FRZs.
- RPZ (Runway Protection Zone)
- A rectangular airspace block extending about 5 km from each runway threshold (≈ 1 km wide to 2 000 ft AAL) that safeguards arriving and departing aircraft; combined with the ATZ to create the FRZ.
- RMZ (Radio Mandatory Zone)
- Airspace where two-way radio contact with the relevant ATS unit is compulsory before entry and throughout the flight.
- ANO Article 94 (Small Unmanned Aircraft — General)
- The core rule set applying to all small unmanned aircraft (drones) under 20 kg. It requires pilots to only fly if they are reasonably satisfied the flight can be made safely, to maintain direct visual contact unless authorised otherwise, to avoid endangering any person, property or other aircraft, and to comply with height and distance limits. Many of these requirements now appear in the Drone and Model Aircraft Code.
- ANO Article 94A (Small Unmanned Aircraft — Prohibitions)
- Prohibits flight of a small unmanned aircraft in certain circumstances, such as within a Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) without permission, or in a manner that contravenes applicable airspace restrictions, unless authorised. Breach of Article 94A is a criminal offence.
- ANO Article 94B (Small Unmanned Aircraft — Commercial Operations)
- Formerly the main provision regulating “commercial operations” with small unmanned aircraft, now replaced by the UK UAS implementing regulation and CAA Operational Authorisation requirements. It is retained in amended form for certain legacy scenarios and enforcement.
- ANO Article 95 (Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft)
- Applies extra restrictions to drones fitted with cameras or sensors capable of recording data. It prohibits flight over or within 150 m of congested areas and within 50 m of people, vehicles, vessels or structures not under the control of the operator, except where permitted by CAA authorisation. Certain allowances exist in the Open Category.
- ANO Article 240 (Endangering Safety of an Aircraft)
- A general offence making it illegal to recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft (including drones) to endanger another aircraft. This provision applies regardless of the weight of the unmanned aircraft and carries severe penalties, including potential imprisonment.
- ANO Article 241 (Endangering Safety of Any Person or Property)
- A broad safety provision making it an offence to recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft (including drones) to endanger any person or property. This applies in addition to more specific drone rules and can be enforced even where other articles are not breached.
- ANO Article 265 (Power to Issue Directions)
- Gives the CAA and authorised persons the power to issue immediate directions restricting or prohibiting flight, including drone operations, for safety or security reasons. These may be issued as NOTAMs or formal notices.
- TMZ (Transponder Mandatory Zone)
- Airspace of defined dimensions in which all aircraft must carry and operate an SSR (Mode S) transponder unless exempted.