The New Drone Laws UK framework is reshaping how professional operations are authorised and how remote pilot competence is proven. New drone laws will come into force in the UK on 1 Jan 2026. The Civil Aviation Authority now sets out a modern pathway that links pilot qualification to mission risk in the Specific Category. This guide explains what the General Visual Line of Sight Certificate and the Level 1 to Level 4 Remote Pilot Certificates enable, the entry requirements for each, and how to plan your training path in line with UK SORA and Air Risk Class.
Quick Summary of the New Drone Laws UK
- GVC and RPC Level 1 broadly align for VLOS competence in the Specific Category.
- RPC Level 2 adds BVLOS privileges in ARC environments where no other traffic is expected.
- RPC Level 3 supports BVLOS in more complex environments up to ARC c and introduces a LAPL medical.
- RPC Level 4 is intended for the most complex BVLOS profiles across any ARC and has the highest logged BVLOS hour threshold.
- The trajectory is toward SORA aligned competence, robust evidence of currency and a clearer link between pilot skills, aircraft capability and operational risk.
Why These Certificates Exist and How They Are Applied
Every Specific Category Operational Authorisation requires a minimum level of remote pilot competence. The correct certificate level flows from your SORA, your Air Risk Class, and any additional conditions such as logged hours or medical fitness. Certificates provide a standard baseline of task performance, knowledge, skills and attitudes. They do not replace aircraft or operation specific training, so operators must still deliver type, system and scenario training that matches their fleet and missions.
Training and assessment are delivered by CAA approved Recognised Assessment Entities for Pilot Competence. These providers assess pilots against the syllabus for each certificate and issue competence recommendations that support your Operational Authorisation.
Aircraft Category Options
For RPC Levels, you choose Rotorcraft or Aeroplane.
For the GVC, you choose multirotor or fixed wing.
What each Certificate enables and the Entry Requirements
General Visual Line of Sight Certificate, GVC
Operations permitted: VLOS in the Specific Category
Minimum age: none
Entry: Flyer ID
Validity: five years
Aircraft options: multirotor or fixed wing
Notes: broadly similar competence to RPC Level 1 for VLOS
Level 1 Remote Pilot Certificate, RPC L1
Operations permitted: VLOS and BVLOS in ARC a only where no other air traffic is expected, for example in an Atypical Air Environment
Minimum age: 18
Entry: Flyer ID, RPC L1 in the same UA category, at least 50 logged flight hours in the Specific Category using the same UA category
Validity: three years
Aircraft options: Rotorcraft or Aeroplane
Level 3 Remote Pilot Certificate, RPC L3
Operations permitted: VLOS and BVLOS up to ARC c
Minimum age: 18
Entry: Flyer ID, RPC L2, at least 50 logged BVLOS hours in the Specific Category using the same UA category, LAPL medical certificate
Validity: three years
Aircraft options: Rotorcraft or Aeroplane
Level 4 Remote Pilot Certificate, RPC L4
Operations permitted: VLOS and BVLOS in any ARC
Minimum age: 18
Entry: Flyer ID, RPC L3, at least 75 logged BVLOS hours in the Specific Category using the same UA category, LAPL medical certificate
Validity: one year
Aircraft options: Rotorcraft or Aeroplane
ARC, SORA and what BVLOS means in day-to-day work
Air Risk Class ranges from ARC a to ARC d and reflects the likelihood of a mid air encounter with crewed traffic. As the ARC increases, the competence level and mitigations required increase as well. VLOS missions generally anchor on GVC or RPC L1. BVLOS missions start at RPC L2 in ARC a environments, extend to RPC L3 up to ARC c, and historically reach RPC L4 for integrated and complex airspace. Your SORA explains how you assign ARC, how you justify strategic mitigations such as route design and airspace choice, and how you layer tactical mitigations such as observers or electronic conspicuity.
GVC or RPC L1 for 2025 and beyond
Both are valid for VLOS in the Specific Category. If you are new to professional operations, RPC L1 aligns closely with the modern certificate structure and gives a straightforward path to RPC L2 and RPC L3. If you already hold the GVC, you remain covered for VLOS and can step up to RPC L2 and RPC L3 without retaking the RPC L1 theory test.
Side-by-side Comparison
| Certificate | Operations permitted | ARC scope | Minimum age | Key entry items | Validity |
| GVC | VLOS | not ARC bound | Flyer ID | 5 years | |
| RPC L1 | VLOS | not ARC bound | Flyer ID, GVC holders do not need L1 theory | 5 years | |
| RPC L2 | VLOS and BVLOS | ARC a only | 18 | Flyer ID, RPC L1, at least 50 logged hours, same UA category | 3 years |
| RPC L3 | VLOS and BVLOS | up to ARC c | 18 | Flyer ID, RPC L2, at least 50 logged BVLOS hours, same UA category, LAPL medical | 3 years |
| RPC L4 | VLOS and BVLOS | any ARC | 18 | Flyer ID, RPC L3, at least 75 logged BVLOS hours, same UA category, LAPL medical | 1 year |
How to Choose Your Pathway Under the New Drone Laws UK
Short range VLOS inspections and surveys in towns and cities
GVC or RPC L1, subject to your Operational Authorisation and mitigations.
BVLOS development, test site activity or Atypical Air Environment with no other traffic expected
RPC L2.
Linear infrastructure BVLOS such as utilities, rail or pipelines with increasing integration
RPC L3 with a LAPL medical and the required BVLOS hours.
Highly integrated BVLOS in complex or controlled environments
Historically RPC L4. Monitor CAA updates and be ready to show currency, competence and robust safety cases as the framework evolves.
Training Providers
You must complete training with a CAA approved Recognised Assessment Entity for Pilot Competence. The CAA maintains the policy and the approvals for these organisations and is expanding listings as the new certificates bed in.
What is Changing Next and How to Stay Ahead
The New Drone Laws UK pathway is standardising SORA-based authorisations and expanding the Atypical Air Environment policy to support safe BVLOS growth. Expect continued refinement of ARC methodology, clearer definitions for currency and recency, and closer alignment of training content with operational risk. Build a plan that moves pilots from RPC L1 to RPC L3 in step with your BVLOS roadmap, and keep manuals, flight logs and safety promotion up to date.
Practical Checklist for Operators
- Confirm which certificate level each mission requires based on your SORA and ARC.
- Audit pilot logs for total hours, BVLOS hours and aircraft category alignment.
- Schedule medicals for pilots aiming at RPC L3 and RPC L4.
- Validate that your RAE provider delivers the correct category of training for your fleet.
- Review Operational Authorisation wording, especially conditions that reference logged hours and currency.
- Update internal SOPs to reflect ARC determination, strategic mitigations and any use of Atypical Air Environments.
FAQs
Is the GVC still valid in the UK
Yes. The GVC remains accepted for VLOS operations in the Specific Category and provides broadly similar competence to RPC Level 1.
What hours count for RPC L2, RPC L3 and RPC L4
Hours must be in the Specific Category using the same UA category. For RPC L3 and RPC L4 the hours must be logged BVLOS. Record date, location, mission type, aircraft and any observer details.
Do I need a medical certificate
A LAPL medical certificate is required for RPC L3 and RPC L4. It is not required for GVC, RPC L1 or RPC L2.
What ARC can I operate in with each certificate
RPC L2 allows BVLOS only in ARC a. RPC L3 enables BVLOS up to ARC c. RPC L4 covers any ARC. GVC and RPC L1 apply to VLOS missions.
How Drone Site Surveys Will Keep our Pilots Trained and Compliant
We welcome the CAA clarifications in the New Drone Laws UK and the clearer path they give everyone. Our promise is straightforward. Every job we take on will be flown by a pilot who holds the right certificate, has up-to-date training and the recent experience needed for that specific task. We work with approved trainers, refresh skills regularly, keep simple records of renewals, and make sure any medical checks are in place where required.
If the rules change, we update our procedures and brief our teams and clients so work continues safely and legally. You can rely on us to send a pilot who is fully trained for the job that is required. We already support RICS chartered surveyors, facilities managers, insurance companies and registered landlord providers across the UK, and we shape our planning, communication and deliverables to help them meet their own compliance duties with confidence. When you instruct Drone Site Surveys you get a competent pilot and a partner who makes compliance simple.
