Federal Drone Laws and FAA Requirements

Before flying, decide whether you're flying recreationally under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations or commercially under Part 107. The category determines which rules apply to you.

If you fly strictly for fun, you may fly under the recreational rules (sometimes called the 'Exception for Limited Recreational Operations'). Any flight that furthers a business or provides a service — even without payment — generally requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. When in doubt, Part 107 is the safer choice, and many pilots hold Part 107 even for personal projects.

Recreational flyers must pass the free TRUST test, carry proof of passage, register drones over 0.55 lb, and follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized community-based organization.

The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) is free and must be passed before flying recreationally. Keep your completion certificate available (digital or printed). You must fly within visual line of sight, give way to manned aircraft, and follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized CBO. Drones over 0.55 lb (250 g) must be registered.

Commercial drone operations require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, earned by passing the Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test.

To fly commercially you must be at least 16, pass the Part 107 knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center, and obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate. Certificate holders must complete recurrent online training to stay current. Part 107 covers operating limits, airspace, weather, loading, and emergency procedures.

Drones weighing 0.55 lb (250 g) or more must be registered with the FAA, and the registration number must be displayed on the exterior of the aircraft.

Register at FAA DroneZone. Recreational registration covers all your recreational drones under one number; Part 107 requires each aircraft to be registered individually. The registration number must be legible on the drone's exterior, and you must carry proof of registration when flying.

Most drones that require registration must also broadcast Remote ID — a digital 'license plate' — either built-in or via an add-on broadcast module.

Remote ID broadcasts your drone's identity and location during flight. You must fly a Standard Remote ID drone, attach a broadcast module, or fly within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Check your drone's Remote ID status before flying.

You must keep your drone within unaided visual line of sight at all times, unless you hold a specific FAA waiver.

You (or a visual observer in direct communication with you) must be able to see the drone with your own eyes throughout the flight. Binoculars and first-person-view goggles do not satisfy this requirement on their own. Beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight requires an FAA waiver.

The general altitude ceiling is 400 feet above ground level, with specific allowances near structures under Part 107.

Both recreational and Part 107 operations are generally limited to 400 ft AGL in uncontrolled airspace. Under Part 107, you may fly higher than 400 ft if within 400 ft of a structure. In controlled airspace, altitude is limited by the airspace authorization.

Flying in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or surface E) near airports requires prior FAA authorization; uncontrolled Class G generally does not.

Most drone flying happens in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace and does not require authorization, though all other rules still apply. Flying in controlled airspace around airports requires authorization, usually obtained instantly through LAANC. Always confirm the airspace at your location before flying.

LAANC provides near-real-time authorization to fly in controlled airspace, up to published altitude ceilings, through approved apps.

The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) lets both recreational and Part 107 pilots request authorization to fly in controlled airspace and receive approval in seconds, up to the ceilings shown on FAA UAS Facility Maps. Requests above those ceilings go through the FAA DroneZone manual process.

Use an FAA-approved B4UFLY app to check airspace, restrictions, and advisories at your location before every flight.

The FAA no longer operates a single B4UFLY app; instead it maintains a directory of approved third-party B4UFLY service providers. These apps show controlled airspace, restrictions, and advisories. CityDrones links to the official provider directory rather than embedding a widget.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) can prohibit drone flight around events, disasters, VIP movements, and security operations, sometimes with little notice.

TFRs are temporary and can appear quickly. Always check the FAA TFR list and current NOTAMs before flying, especially near large events, wildfires, or when government officials are in the area. Violating a TFR carries serious federal penalties.

Standing federal restrictions prohibit drone flight over or near many major sporting events and stadiums.

Drones are prohibited within 3 nautical miles of stadiums seating 30,000+ people from one hour before to one hour after Major League Baseball, NFL, NCAA Division One football, and major motor-speedway events. Additional TFRs may apply to other large gatherings.

Never fly near wildfires, emergency-response scenes, or law-enforcement operations — you may face federal penalties and can ground firefighting aircraft.

'If you fly, we can't.' Unauthorized drones near wildfires force aerial firefighting operations to shut down. TFRs are routinely issued around disasters and emergency scenes. Flying there is illegal and dangerous.

Night flight is allowed when the drone has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles; Part 107 pilots must complete updated training.

Both recreational and Part 107 pilots may fly at night if the drone displays anti-collision lights visible for at least 3 statute miles. Part 107 pilots must have completed the updated recurrent training that covers night operations.

Flying over people is restricted and organized into operational categories based on the drone's weight and injury risk under Part 107.

Part 107 defines four categories governing flight over people, depending on the drone's weight, injury potential, and presence of exposed rotating parts. Sustained flight over open-air assemblies requires the drone to meet a category and broadcast Remote ID. Recreational flyers should avoid flying over people entirely.

Sustained flight over moving vehicles is restricted under Part 107 and generally allowed only within a closed or restricted-access site.

Part 107 restricts flight over moving vehicles; sustained flight is generally permitted only over people inside vehicles in a closed- or restricted-access area, subject to the operations-over-people categories.

Recreational operation from a moving vehicle is prohibited; Part 107 allows it only in sparsely populated areas.

Recreational flyers may not operate a drone from a moving vehicle. Part 107 pilots may operate from a moving vehicle or boat only over sparsely populated areas and not to transport property for compensation beyond specific limits.

Federal security restrictions prohibit drone flight over many military bases, national-security facilities, and critical infrastructure.

The FAA has established airspace restrictions over numerous Department of Defense facilities, national landmarks, and critical infrastructure sites. These appear in B4UFLY apps. Flying over them is prohibited without specific coordination.

Launching, landing, or operating drones from within National Park Service lands is generally prohibited; other federal lands have their own rules.

NPS policy prohibits launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft from within the boundaries of the National Park System, absent specific authorization. Other federal land managers (BLM, USFS, USFWS, Army Corps) set their own drone policies — check with the managing agency before flying.

The FAA can waive certain Part 107 operating rules — such as night, BVLOS, or over-people limits — if you demonstrate you can operate safely.

Operations outside standard Part 107 limits (e.g., beyond visual line of sight, over people without meeting a category, multiple aircraft) require an FAA waiver applied for through DroneZone, with a safety case demonstrating equivalent safety.

Foreign visitors flying drones in the U.S. must follow all FAA rules and may need to register their aircraft.

Non-U.S. citizens must comply with the same FAA rules as U.S. operators, including registration and TRUST or Part 107 requirements as applicable. Foreign registration is treated as a recognition of ownership rather than U.S. registration.

Bookmark the official FAA drone resources for registration, airspace, Remote ID, and current restrictions.

The FAA maintains authoritative resources for every stage of flying: the UAS home page, DroneZone for registration, LAANC for airspace authorization, the B4UFLY provider directory, Remote ID guidance, and the live TFR list. Use these before every flight.