Drone Licence UK 2026: Flyer ID Test, 40 Questions, 30 to Pass

Key facts

At a glance

Run by: The CAA, on its drone and model aircraft registration site
Who needs it: Anyone flying a drone or model aircraft of 100g or more outdoors
During the test: You can look at the Drone and Model Aircraft Code
Retakes: As many as you like
Age: No age limit; under-13s take it with a parent or guardian
The other ID: Operator ID, £12.34 a year, registered by someone aged 18 or over

How it works

How the UK drone licence test works

Theory test · 30 to pass

To pass you need 30 of 40 right.

You take the test online on the CAA’s drone registration site, as part of registering for your Flyer ID.
The law sets nine subjects for it: air safety, airspace restrictions, aviation regulation, human performance limitations, operational procedures, general drone knowledge, privacy and data protection, insurance and security.
The CAA says everything you need to pass is in the Drone and Model Aircraft Code.
The CAA suggests allowing at least 30 minutes, but there’s no time limit as long as you aren’t inactive for more than 90 minutes.
The test is based on the rules in force from 1 January 2026.

Topics

What’s on the test

Flyer ID and Operator ID

The two registrations the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) asks for: one shows you passed the theory test, the other makes someone responsible for the aircraft.

Key points (4)

You must get a Flyer ID to fly a drone or model aircraft that weighs 100g or more (Drone and Model Aircraft Code, Getting what you need to fly legally).
You need an Operator ID if you own or are responsible for one that weighs 250g or more, or 100g or more with a camera (Drone and Model Aircraft Code).
You must be 18 or over to get an Operator ID; a parent or guardian registers if a younger person owns the drone (Drone and Model Aircraft Code).
The CAA recommends carrying a copy of your Flyer ID whenever you fly (Drone and Model Aircraft Code).

The Open Category: A1, A2 and A3

Flying is split into the Open, Specific and Certified categories, and the Open Category has three sub-categories set by your drone’s class mark or weight.

Key points (4)

The Open Category is low-risk, simple flying; the Specific Category is moderate-risk and the Certified Category high-risk (Drone and Model Aircraft Code).
A Flyer ID lets you fly in the Over People (A1) and Far from People (A3) sub-categories (Drone and Model Aircraft Code).
To fly in the Near People (A2) sub-category you must also get the A2 Certificate of Competency (Drone and Model Aircraft Code).
New drone models placed on the market from 1 January 2026 must carry a UK class mark, from UK0 to UK6 (Drone and Model Aircraft Code).

Flying safely and in sight

Points 1 and 2 of the Code: you’re responsible for every flight, and you keep the aircraft in direct sight.

Key points (4)

You must see the aircraft well enough to tell which way it’s facing, without binoculars, a telephoto lens or a screen; normal glasses are fine (Drone Code point 2).
An observer must stand next to you and be able to talk to you at all times; they don’t need a Flyer ID (Drone Code point 2).
To fly using first-person view, you must have an observer with you (Drone Code point 2).
Breaking the law when flying can mean a fine, and in the most serious cases prison (Drone Code point 1).

Where you can fly

Points 3 to 9: the height limit, distances from people and built-up areas, crowds, airports and other restrictions.

Key points (4)

Your aircraft must never be more than 120m (400ft) from the closest point of the earth’s surface (Drone Code point 3).
Never fly over people who are crowded together, whatever the size of your drone (Drone Code point 5).
Never fly in an airport’s, airfield’s or spaceport’s Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) without its permission (Drone Code point 7).
Endangering the safety of an aircraft can mean five years in prison (Drone Code point 7).

Making every flight safe

Points 10 to 20: knowing your aircraft, pre-flight checks, cargo, weather, your own fitness, night flying and insurance.

Key points (4)

Never drop, lower or fire anything from the aircraft while it’s flying, and never carry dangerous cargo (Drone Code points 12 and 13).
You must not fly when under the influence of alcohol (Drone Code point 16).
At night the aircraft must have a green flashing light turned on (Drone Code point 19).
Below 20kg, insurance is optional only if you fly for fun, recreation, sport or as a hobby (Drone Code point 20).

Protecting people’s privacy

Points 21 to 26: cameras, recording and sharing photos and videos.

Key points (4)

Using a camera where people can expect privacy, such as in their home or garden, is likely to break data protection laws (Drone Code point 21).
Photos or recordings you take may be covered by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (Drone Code point 21).
Let people know before you start recording or taking pictures (Drone Code point 24).
Store images safely and delete anything you don’t need (Drone Code point 26).

The operator’s responsibilities

Points 30 to 36: registering, labelling, Remote ID, checking who flies your aircraft and keeping it maintained.

Key points (4)

Label every aircraft with your Operator ID, never your Flyer ID, in block capitals taller than 3mm (Drone Code point 31).
From 1 January 2026, add your Remote ID and switch it on before flying a UK1, UK2 or UK3 class aircraft (Drone Code point 32).
If someone without the right competence certificate flies your aircraft, you may be liable to prosecution (Drone Code point 33).
Renew your Operator ID every year (Drone Code point 36).

Test day

What you need for the online Flyer ID test

An email address you can check while you register
The Drone and Model Aircraft Code, online or as the CAA’s PDF
At least 30 minutes without interruptions
A debit or credit card, if you’re also registering for an Operator ID
A parent or guardian beside you, if you’re under 13

Before you go

Work out which IDs your drone needs from its weight, class mark and whether it has a camera.
Read the whole Drone and Model Aircraft Code, including the points on where you can fly.
If you already have an Operator ID, log in to My registration and add the Flyer ID there instead of starting again.
If the drone is yours and you’re under 18, ask a parent or guardian to register as its operator.

CAA: Take the test and get a Flyer IDThere’s nothing to book. You start the test on the CAA’s registration site whenever you’re ready, and you can add an Operator ID in the same visit.

Study options

Where to study

The CAA’s own study material is the Drone and Model Aircraft Code, and it says everything in the Flyer ID test is in there. Courses come in for the next steps: training providers approved by the CAA run the A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC), and their prices are on their own sites.

Option	Price	Free to use	Links
Official
The Drone and Model Aircraft Code (CAP2320)The CAA’s official study materialThe current edition is dated March 2026 and follows the rules in force from 1 January 2026. Points 37 to 39, on less common flying, aren’t in the test.	Online and as a 48-page PDF	Published on caa.co.uk, with the PDF to download	CAA: The Drone and Model Aircraft Code ↗CAA: The Drone Code (PDF, March 2026) ↗
Official and free
CAA Flyer ID theory testThe official online theory testThe test itself, taken online on the CAA’s registration site. Passing it gives you your Flyer ID.	Free, says the CAA	The test, and every retake	CAA: Take the test and get a Flyer ID ↗
Online courses
Osprey Drone TrainingOnline A2 CofC courseOn the CAA’s list of approved providers under its registered name, Harbour Media Ltd. Online theory at your own pace, then a closed-book exam of 30 questions in 75 minutes with a 75% pass mark. Osprey asks for at least two hours of logged flying, declared with your flight log, and there’s no flight test.	£99 including VAT; revalidation £69		Osprey Drone Training: A2 CofC ↗
Commercial Drone TrainingOnline A2 CofC courseOn the CAA’s list as Commercial Drone Training Education Ltd. The course has over 2 hours of video tuition, a flight guide for the self-practical manoeuvres you fly on your own, and 56 mock exam questions with instant feedback. It also offers weekend online testing.	£99		Commercial Drone Training: A2 CofC online course ↗
Coptrz AcademyOnline A2 CofC courseOn the CAA’s list as COPTRZ Ltd, approved for the A2 CofC, the General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) and the Level 1 Remote Pilot Certificate. The course is about 10 hours, in modules on air law, meteorology, flight performance and operating principles, then an exam module.	£97 excluding VAT		Coptrz: A2 CofC drone training course ↗
In person
Drone Pilot AcademyOne-day classroom A2 CofC courseOn the CAA’s list as Drone Pilot Academy Ltd. The day covers the theory and the exam, with hands-on flying when the weather allows, a student study guide and lunch. It also runs GVC courses.	From £375 plus VAT		Drone Pilot Academy: A2 Certificate of Competence course ↗

Prices and ratings checked October 2026.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

CoursesCost

Get your IDs Drone Code Flying rules A2 CofC Commercial Regulations

Where you can fly

No-fly zones Height limit Abroad

Which rules apply

Do you need one?Under 250g A1 and A3

FAQ

Common questions

Is there a drone licence in the UK?

Not one called that. The CAA issues a Flyer ID when you pass its theory test, and an Operator ID to the person or organisation responsible for the drone. For flying closer to people there’s the A2 Certificate of Competency, and flying outside the Open Category needs an operational authorisation from the CAA, with a remote pilot certificate set by that authorisation.

Is the CAA drone test the same as the Flyer ID test?

Yes. The CAA’s official online theory test is the one that gives you a Flyer ID, and the CAA calls it the Flyer ID theory test. You take it on the CAA’s registration site. Some model aircraft associations can also issue Flyer IDs to their members.

How long does a Flyer ID last?

Five years, and you renew it by passing the theory test again. A Flyer ID from a test taken under the rules before 1 January 2026 lasts three years instead. You can see your expiry date in the My registration area of the CAA’s site.

Can I get a Flyer ID through a model flying club?

Possibly. The CAA says some model aircraft clubs and associations can issue Flyer IDs to their members, or let you take the test with them, so ask yours. Four associations hold a CAA authorisation of their own for members’ flying: the British Model Flying Association (BMFA), FPV UK, the Large Model Association (LMA) and the Scottish Aeromodellers Association (SAA).

Who do I contact about the UK drone test?

The CAA’s Drone and Model Aircraft Registration Team: drone.registration@caa.co.uk or 0330 022 9930, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. It handles Flyer IDs, Operator IDs and registrations for children.

Sources: CAA · CAA Regulatory Library and 5 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

UK drone licence: the Flyer ID test and Operator ID

At a glance

How the UK drone licence test works

What’s on the test

Flyer ID and Operator ID

The Open Category: A1, A2 and A3

Flying safely and in sight

Where you can fly

Making every flight safe

Protecting people’s privacy

The operator’s responsibilities

What you need for the online Flyer ID test

Before you go

Where to study

Everything else, in one place

Common questions

Related exams