Drone laws in the United States: recreational flying and Part 107
Updated
In the United States, drones are regulated by the FAA, and the rules depend on why you fly. Flying purely for fun, you follow the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations: pass the free TRUST test, register any drone over 0.55 lb, and stay at or below 400 ft. Flying for work falls under Part 107 and needs a Remote Pilot Certificate. Either way, registered drones need Remote ID, and controlled airspace near airports needs an authorization — usually through LAANC.
Recreational flying or Part 107?
| Recreational | Part 107 | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Flying purely for fun | Any other flying, including for work or business |
| Knowledge | Pass TRUST, and carry proof | Remote Pilot Certificate: knowledge test at an FAA-approved centre, 16 or older |
| Registration | Over 0.55 lb: one $5 registration covers all your drones | Every drone, $5 each |
| Height | At or below 400 ft in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace | 400 ft above the ground, unless authorized |
| Controlled airspace | Only with an authorization (LAANC or DroneZone) | Only with an authorization (LAANC or DroneZone) |
Part 107 pilots keep their certificate current with free online recurrent training every 24 calendar months.
Register your drone
- Register on FAADroneZone. It costs $5 and lasts three years.
- A recreational registration covers every drone you own; under Part 107, each drone is registered separately.
- A drone of 0.55 lb (250 g) or less needs no registration — but only when flown purely for recreation.
- Mark the registration number on the outside of the drone, and carry proof of registration when you fly.
Remote ID
Every drone that is registered, or has to be — for recreation, business or public safety — must comply with Remote ID: it broadcasts its identity and location in flight, either built in or through a broadcast module.
Where you can fly
The United States drone map shows the FAA’s national security UAS flight restrictions, national defense airspace and stadium restrictions, each with its source. To check a spot, click it on the map.
The map does not show controlled airspace around airports or other temporary flight restrictions. Check B4UFLY before every flight, and request an authorization through LAANC when you need to fly in controlled airspace.
This guide summarises the FAA pages listed below as they stood on the date at the top. Rules change: check faa.gov before you fly. GeoPilot is not an authorization.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register my drone in the United States?
- Yes if it weighs more than 0.55 lb (250 g), and for any Part 107 flight whatever its weight. Registration is on FAADroneZone, $5 for three years.
- How high can I fly a drone in the United States?
- Recreational flyers stay at or below 400 ft in uncontrolled airspace; Part 107 pilots at 400 ft above the ground unless authorized.
- Does this map show controlled airspace and LAANC?
- No. It shows national security restrictions, national defense airspace and stadium restrictions. Check B4UFLY, and use LAANC to request an authorization in controlled airspace.
Related guides
- Can I fly my drone here? How to check a spot on the mapCheck whether a drone zone covers the spot you want to fly from: click the map, read what the zone requires, its height limits and hours, and its source.
- How to check drone restrictions for a future date and timeSome drone zones apply only at set hours or for a few days. See the airspace as it will be at your flight time, up to 7 days ahead, NOTAM areas included.
- Drone no-fly zones explained: how UAS geographical zones workWhat UAS geographical zones are, who publishes them, and how to read one: prohibited, authorization, conditional zones, height limits and schedules.