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United Kingdom · Drone test

Drone licence cost in the UK

The Flyer ID test is free and an Operator ID costs £12.34 a year from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), so the basic UK drone licence cost is £12.34 a year if your drone needs both IDs. Training for the A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) is extra, at prices each training provider sets, and flying in the Specific Category means a CAA authorisation fee on top.

  • FreeFlyer ID theory test
  • £12.34Operator ID, each year
  • Set by each providerA2 CofC and GVC course fees
Where to study

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

CAA fees for drone flyers and operators

ItemFeeLasts
Flyer ID theory testFree5 years
Operator ID£12.341 year
PDRA01 operational authorisation£52412 months
UK SORA operational authorisation£2,422 to £17,30012 months

These are the CAA’s prices as checked in October 2026. The UK SORA range is the CAA’s fixed charge for a first application in 2026/27, from the lowest risk level (SAIL 1) to the highest (SAIL 6), and the second assessment can add £346 an hour. PDRA01 is a pre-defined risk assessment, and UK SORA is the Specific Operations Risk Assessment; neither charge has VAT.

How much does a UK drone licence cost to renew?

  • Flyer ID: you renew it every five years by passing the theory test again, and the test is free.
  • Operator ID: you pay £12.34 again each year, in My registration.
  • A2 CofC: it lasts five years; the CAA doesn’t set a renewal price, so check with your provider.

Courses and certificates priced by providers

The A2 CofC, the General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) and the remote pilot certificates are awarded by training providers the CAA approves, and the CAA says those providers can set their own fees. The courses compared on the where-to-learn page run from £97 plus VAT, or £99 including VAT, online, to a one-day classroom course from £375 plus VAT.

There’s no separate commercial drone licence to buy. Paid work in the Open Category uses the same IDs, plus third party insurance, which insurers price.

A2 CofC courses and their prices →Insurance and authorisations for work →

Other costs to plan for

  • A green flashing light for night flying, if your drone doesn’t have one built in
  • Third party insurance, which you must have for any flying that isn’t for fun, recreation, sport or a hobby
  • Your own practice flying for the A2 CofC, which you do on your own drone
Night flying and the other rules →
Sources: CAA and 5 more. Checked October 2026.

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

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Everything else, in one place

OverviewCoursesGet your IDsDrone CodeFlying rulesA2 CofCCommercialRegulations

Where you can fly

No-fly zonesHeight limitAbroad

Which rules apply

Do you need one?Under 250gA1 and A3