Drones have transformed various sectors over the years by providing improved productivity and unique perspectives. Nevertheless, with these advantages come crucial responsibilities, and one of the most fundamental is understanding drone registration requirements. Understanding the rules for drone registration might be very overwhelming, but this article will address all important inquiries and guide us toward flying within the legal framework.
Why do I need to register my drone?
In Compliance with Legal Mandate
In many countries, drone registration to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the United States and Canada, is strictly enforced.
For Accountability and Safety
Registration enables regulatory agencies to monitor drones and their operators, fostering responsibility and supporting the application of safety rules. This is especially crucial when incidents occur or when airspace regulations are breached.
For Remote Identification
A remote ID system that transmits details regarding the drone and its operator is now required in many regions. Often, this requirement is connected to registration, making sure that drones can be recognized from a distance.
Differentiation Among Use Cases
When you register your drone, the procedure usually considers whether you’re operating it for recreational purposes or commercial gain.
Where can I register my drone?
The registration procedure differs depending on your location. Listed below are the platforms where you can register your drones:
- United States (drone must weigh less than 55 pounds)
Drones are registered online through the FAA DroneZone Website
- Canada (commercial drones above 250g)
Register your drone via Transport Canada’s Drone Management Portal
- European Union
Drone operators must register with their National Aviation Authority (NAA) in their country of residence or your business address and not with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) directly.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) provides a list of NAA website references.
- Switzerland
All drone registrations are done through Swiss online drone platform dLIS
- United Kingdom
Entities that manage drones are required to acquire an operator identification number from the UK Civil Aviation Authority
- Brazil
Drones weighing over 250 grams must be registered in ANAC’s SISANT System while imported drones may also require registration via the MOSAICO system.
What is the information needed for registration?
The information needed for registering a drone typically includes:
- Personal Information
- Home address along with a separate mailing address if it varies
- Email address
- Phone number
- The brand and model of the drone
- The exact Remote ID serial number provided by the manufacturer (if applicable)
- A credit or debit card to cover registration costs (where applicable)
- In certain regions, you may need to meet a minimum age requirement, such as being at least 13 years old in the United States. To register for the FAA in the US. It is required that the registering party is a citizen or a legal permanent resident.
- To operate in Switzerland, you must possess a CH-Login, a valid ID, and information regarding your current liability insurance.
- In Brazil, obtaining a Brazilian tax ID number is necessary.
How much does drone registration cost, and what is the duration of its validity?
Registration fees and validity periods vary. Listed below are the registration fee and validity per country:
| Country | Registration | Cost/Drone | Validity |
| USA | Part 107 registration | $5 | 3 years |
| Exception for Limited Recreational Operations | $5 | 3 years | |
| Canada | Transport Canada’s Drone Management Portal | $5 | None |
| European Union | Registration fees and validity periods differ across countries, so it’s best to check with your local National Aviation Authorities. | ||
| Switzerland | dLIS | Free | 5 years |
| SFCD | 25.00 CHF | 5 years | |
| SVZD Member | 3 drones are free of charge | 5 years | |
| United Kingdom | Operator ID | Operator ID | 5 years |
| Brazil | ANAC | Free | 1 year |
Exception for Drone Registration
Listed below are the exceptions for drone registrations of different countries.
| Country | Exception/Instances | Registration |
| United States | Drone weight: 0.55 pounds or less (less than 250 grams) | Not required |
| Operated under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations | Note: These drones cannot be operated under Part 107 | |
| Europe | C0 class drones (weight: under 250 grams; 19 m/s max speed) | Not required Note: Operator registration is required |
| Canada | Micro-Drones (weighs under 250 grams) | Not required |
| Drones between 250 grams and 25 kilograms | Register with Transport Canada Note: Drone Pilot Certification is Required | |
| Drones over 25 kilograms | Not required Note: Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) is required to operate | |
| Foreign Drone Pilot | Canadian Drone Pilot Certificate is required | |
| Commercial Use | Registration is needed regardless of its weight | |
| Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) | Register for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) | |
| Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) members | Exempted | |
| Brazil | Class 3 Drone Weight: less than 25 kg; under 250 grams Height: below 120 meters | May only register as UAV owner Note: Pilot Certification is not needed |
What happens after the successful drone registration?
Presented below are the expectations after a successful drone registration and the primary actions required to be undertaken by operators or drone owners:
| Country | Expectations and/or Primary Action Requirement |
United States | 1. Receipt of paper or soft copy of FAA registration certificate (bring at all times when operating the drone) 2. If the operator of the drone is not the registered owner, it is required that they will have the drone registration certificate when flying it 3. Comply with Remote ID requirements |
| Canada | 1. Receipt of a unique 15-digit ID number starting with “C-“ 2. Registration number must be placed visibly on the drone |
| Europe | Receipt of a drone operator ID number, which must be placed on the drone visibly |
| Switzerland | Receipt of UAS operator number that must be displayed in a visible location on the drone |
| Brazil | 1. Receipt of operator ID from CAA that must be displayed visibly on the drone 2. Valid liability insurance certificate and a flight manual should always come in handy |
United Kingdom | 1. Receipt of an operator ID from CAA which must be displayed on all drones 2. Third party liability insurance for commercial operators 3. Depending on the operation, pilots are required to have a flyer ID and A2 Certificate of Competence (CoC) or a General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) |
A Comparative Overview of Commercial vs. Recreational Drone Registration Requirements
| Country | Recreational Drone Laws Registration | Commercial Drone Laws Registration |
| United States | Drones less than 250 grams and operated under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations required registration through FAADroneZone Cost: $5 for ALL drones Validity: 3 years | Commercial Drones (under Part 107) register at FAADroneZone Cost: $5 EACH drone Validity: 3 years Other requirement: Remote ID serial number |
| Canada | Requirements: Above 250 grams, register with Transport Canada (TC). Basic Operations pilot certificate is required | All commercial drone must be registered in the Drone Management Portal Cost: $5 per drone Validity: No renewals required Advanced Operations certificate is required for complex operations. Drones above 25kg a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) is required. |
| Europe | All drones must register with the National Aviation Authority (NAA) in their country of residence. For Micro-Drone, no registration is required Operator must be registered. | All drone operators must register as UAS operators with their NAA and drone operator ID must always be displayed on all drones |
Switzerland | All pilots require A1, A2, or A3 licenses, and all registrations must be through UAS.gate. | |
| Brazil | Class 3 (under 25kg) drone pilots only need to register on the ANAC’s website as UAV owners, while registration is registered in ANAC’s SISANT system, which is required for drones over 250 grams. | Pilots operating Class 3 drones above 120 m or Class 1 (over 150 kg) / Class 2 (between 25 kg and 150 kg) UAVs must obtain a remote pilot license from ANAC. Moreover, commercial drones must register with ANATEL via the MOSAICO system. |
| United Kingdom | Operators must have an operator ID from CAA if their drone weighs between 250 grams and 25 kg, and organizations that own drones that weigh 250 grams or more need to register as operators. | Regardless of the drone’s weight, an operator ID is required, and a General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) is also required for drone operators. Furthermore, third-party liability insurance is always required. |
Understanding drone registration may be complex, with requirements varying from a simple online sign-up to a more involved process with certifications and remote ID for commercial operators and bigger drones.
Ultimately, understanding the rules and regulations about drone registration of the concerned country is essential regardless of whether the operation is for recreational or commercial purposes. Ensuring that the drone used is registered is not just about compliance; it is a fundamental step to safe and responsible flying.