- A UK class marking system and remote ID requirements are here
- All drones with 100g or more cameras now require a Flyer ID
- EU Class C rating will be aligned with UK equivalents, but only until the end of 2027
Drone laws in the UK have just changed: from 1 January 2026, the UK Civil Aviation Authority has implemented a major overhaul of drone regulations, introducing UK-specific class markings and phased remote identification requirements that will affect everyone from casual hobbyists to professional operators.
There are two big changes. The owner is the introduction of UK class marks – labels ranging from UK0 to UK6 that show that a drone meets specific technical and safety standards. Like the EU’s C class system, these markings will be mandatory for all new drones sold from 2026, with each class determining where and how they can be flown.
A UK0 drone (less than 250g) can fly over people but not crowds, while a UK1 (less than 900g) comes with built-in safety features such as geo-awareness. UK2 drones (less than 4kg) are designed for ‘close to human’ operations if an A2 Certificate of Competence is held, while UK3 and UK4 cover heavier aircraft and traditional aircraft models respectively.
If you already have a drone, don’t panic. Legacy drones (in other words, drones purchased before January 1, 2026) are still completely legal to fly, but they will operate under weight-based rules rather than class-based rules.
A legacy drone under 250g can still operate in the A1 subcategory (renamed “Above People” for clarity), while drones between 250g and 25kg default to A3 (“Away from People”) unless it has an A2 Proficiency Certificate.
The trick? Older drones won’t benefit from the reduced standoff distances offered by class-branded models, so pilots who want maximum flexibility may want to upgrade.
show me your ID
He Another important change is Remote ID – essentially a digital license plate that transmits your drone’s identification and location data during flight.
From 1 January 2026, this will be mandatory for UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5 and UK6 drones, and the requirement will extend to all 100g or larger drones with cameras (including legacy models) from 1 January 2028.
The system transmits your operator ID, aircraft serial number, and real-time position data, but not video streams or personal information. Operating a drone without remote identification after the applicable deadline will be a criminal offense.
Registration thresholds have also been tightened. Previously, you needed a Flyer ID for 250g and larger drones; Starting in 2026, that amount will be reduced to 100 g. Similarly, Operator ID registration now applies to any drone of 100g or more with a camera, or 250g or more, regardless of the camera.
It’s a small change, but one that brings more drone users into the formal registration system.
What this means for drone fans
For the average recreational pilot flying a DJI Mini 4K or similar sub-250g drone, the practical impact of these legal changes is relatively modest.
You will need to register from 100g instead of 250g and enable remote ID by 2028 if your drone has a camera. Otherwise, the fundamental freedoms remain unchanged: you can still fly over people (although not over crowds) and enjoy the same operating privileges you have today.
If you fly with something heavier, the picture is a little more complicated. Legacy drones will default to the more restrictive A3 subcategory unless you have obtained an A2 Certificate of Competence, in which case drones under 2kg can operate in A2 with a separation of 50 meters from uninvolved persons. To access the closest proximities offered by UK2 class marked drones (30 meters standard, or just five meters in low speed mode), you will eventually need to upgrade to a class marked model.
Fortunately, there is a built-in grace period. EU Class C drones will continue to be recognized as equivalent to their UK counterparts until December 31, 2027, meaning a C1 drone from DJI or another manufacturer will be treated as UK1 until that date.
This means, for example, that the C1-rated DJI Air 3S will be subject to fewer flight restrictions as it transitions from a 250+g drone to a UK1-rated drone, at least until the end of 2027. It gives the market time to adapt and manufacturers time to bring UK-certified products to market.
One last requirement to keep in mind: starting in 2026, all drones flying at night must carry a flashing green light visible to others, which will help distinguish them from manned aircraft.
The CAA is positioning all of this as an evolution of existing rules, rather than a drastic overhaul. Kevin Woolsey, head of remotely piloted aircraft systems at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said the changes are “an important step in creating a regulatory framework that is ready for the future”, while allowing the sector to grow and innovate.
For UK-based hobbyists, the message seems to be: your current drone is still legal, but greater accountability is required through remote identification and registration. Fortunately, that appears to be balanced by greater freedom through the introduction of aircraft with UK-specific class markings.
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