As of yesterday (January 1, 2026), UK drone laws just changed in three significant ways, and I wouldn’t blame you for not realizing – I have a drone, and I didn’t know the rules changed either.
We reported on the changes when they dropped, but as a recap: the first change is to how drones are classified – it’s no longer based simply on weight as some safety features will be considered too, but weight still plays an important part – and the second change is that you’ll need to turn on your drone’s remote ID, while the third is that most of you will now need to get your Flyer ID – which means you’ll need to pass a test.
It’s all well and good to know what changes have occurred, but it’s also important to understand what you have to do. So here’s a handy guide to finding your Remote ID and taking your Flier ID test so you can make your drone compliant with the new rules.
How to turn on Remote ID
You can imagine Remote ID as a sort of drone license plate; it digitally broadcasts your aircraft’s serial number, real-time position data, and your operator ID – though it won’t share more personal info or a live video feed if your drone has a camera.
Many drone classes must have their Remote ID attached as of January 1, 2026, for several categories, including some drones grandfathered in under the old system. You won’t need to sort out Remote ID until January 1, 2028. Still, I’m a cautious person, and I’d just get it sorted for all your drones now if you can.
You can view your Remote ID number in the ‘My registration area’ on the CAA website. You’ll then need to look up the exact instructions for your drone on how to enter your remote ID into your device. However, it should be an option in your settings – usually under the Security, About, or dedicated Remote ID section.
How to get your Flyer ID
If you were already flying a drone that is 250g or heavier, you should already have a Flyer ID – that is, unless you like breaking laws. Now, the rules have changed, so you’ll need a Flyer ID for drones 100g or heavier, which will be anything other than simpler toys. I.e. your DJI drone.
The good news is a Flyer ID is completely free, and lasts for five years after you receive it – a much better deal than the Operator ID which you need to renew annually and pay £11.79 for. The bad news, you’ll need to pass a test to get a Flyer ID.
To access it, you can head to the CAA’s Get a Flyer ID page and press the big “Take the test and get a Flyer ID.” You’ll need an email address and a payment card on hand if you plan to renew your Operator ID at the same time.
The test should take you around 30 minutes, but there’s no time limit, and you can have the UK CAA’s Drone and Model Aircraft Code open in another tab to help you answer questions. You’ll need to get at least 30 out of the 40 questions correct, and you can always try again if you fail.
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hamish.hector@futurenet.com (Hamish Hector)
