The UK rules for small drones changed on 1 January 2026. The biggest change for drones under 250g is the weight at which you need an ID: it has dropped from 250g to 100g. If you fly a DJI Mini or similar, you now need a Flyer ID, and if it has a camera, an Operator ID too.
Do I need a Flyer ID or an Operator ID?
| Drone weight | Flyer ID | Operator ID |
|---|---|---|
| Under 100g | Recommended | Optional |
| 100g to under 250g, no camera | Required | Optional |
| 100g to under 250g, with a camera | Required | Required |
- Flyer ID: a free online theory test, valid for 5 years.
- Operator ID: a yearly registration with a small fee. You must be 18 or over to get one, and the number goes on the drone. Check the CAA for the current price.
The CAA’s What you need to fly legally page has the full table and links to both registrations.
Where can I fly a drone under 250g?
Sub-250g drones fly in the Open Category, A1 subcategory. You can fly over people who aren’t involved in the flight, but never over crowds, and you should keep it brief. Keep the drone in sight at all times, stay below 120m (400ft), check for flight restriction zones around airports, and respect people’s privacy.
Class marks: UK0, C0 and legacy drones
Since 1 January 2026, new drones sold in the UK carry a UK class mark, from UK0 to UK6. Drones under 250g are UK0. A drone with the European C0 mark can be flown as a UK0 until 31 December 2027. Drones bought before 2026 without a class mark are “legacy” drones, and you can still fly them under the rules for their weight.
Remote ID
Remote ID is being phased in. UK0 and legacy drones of 100g or more with a camera are due to need it from 1 January 2028. Dates can change, so check the CAA and your manufacturer for firmware updates.
Flying at night
At night, your drone must have a green flashing light switched on. Add-on lights count towards the drone’s weight, which can move it into a different set of rules.
Using a small drone for work
The rules are the same whether you fly for fun or for work. For roof surveys and building surveys we use survey-grade drones under our CAA Operational Authorisation, OA 11363.
Rules checked against CAA guidance, November 2026. For the full picture, see UK drone laws 2026.
