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United Kingdom · Drone test

UK drone laws for drones under 250g

UK drone laws still apply to drones under 250g: since 1 January 2026 you need a Flyer ID to fly one that weighs 100g or more, and the rules on height, crowds and restricted airspace apply whatever the weight. What a sub-250g drone gets is the Over People (A1) sub-category, where you can fly close to and over uninvolved people and in towns, though never over crowds.

  • A1Over People sub-category for sub-250g drones
  • Includes payloadWhat counts in the 250g weight
  • Before 1 January 2026Market date for unmarked sub-250g drones
Where to study

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

IDs for a drone under 250g

Two things decide it: whether the drone reaches 100g, and whether it has a camera. A camera drone from 100g also needs an Operator ID, and below 100g you need neither ID, though the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) strongly recommends taking the test anyway. The full table by weight is on the page about whether you need a drone licence.

The registration table by weight →

What do UK drone laws allow under 250g?

In the Over People (A1) sub-category you can:

  • fly closer than 50m to people who aren’t involved in what you’re doing
  • fly over uninvolved people, but never over crowds
  • fly in residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas

Every other rule still applies: stay below 120m (400ft), keep the drone in direct sight, keep out of restricted airspace and respect privacy. The CAA reminds you that even small drones could injure people if you don’t fly them safely.

The other flying rules →No-fly zones →

Which drones count for Over People (A1)

  • A drone under 250g with no class mark that was placed on the market before 1 January 2026
  • A UK0 class drone, which must be under 250g including payload
  • A UK1 class drone, under 900g, flown with Remote ID and geo-awareness on
  • A privately built drone under 250g with a top speed under 19 metres a second
  • European C0 and C1 drones, for now

A UK1 drone under 900g can still fly in A1, while a heavier drone with no class mark can’t.

When C0 and C1 drones stop counting →

How the 250g is measured

  • The limit is the drone’s maximum take-off mass, including anything it carries.
  • An add-on green flashing light for night flying counts towards the weight.
  • If a modification raises the take-off mass, it can move the drone into a different sub-category.

Small camera drones and Remote ID

Small drones of 100g or more with a camera are part of the second Remote ID step, whether they’re UK0 class, unmarked or privately built. The regulations page has the date.

Remote ID dates →
Sources: CAA · CAA Regulatory Library and 4 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 IDsCostDrone CodeFlying rulesA2 CofCCommercialRegulations

Where you can fly

No-fly zonesHeight limitAbroad

Which rules apply

Do you need one?Under 250gA1 and A3