Class marks | UK Civil Aviation Authority

Using class marks to work out where you can fly

If your drone or model aircraft has a UK class mark, use the UK column in the class marks table below.
If your drone or model aircraft has a European class mark, use the European column in the class marks table below.
If your drone or model aircraft does not have either a UK class mark or a European class mark, use the weight table below.

Class marks and where you can fly

This table shows which Open sub-category you can fly in based on your drone or model aircraft's class mark.

UK class mark	European C class mark	Open sub-category you can fly in
UK0, UK1	C0, C1	Over People (A1)
UK2	C2	Near People (A2) if you have an A2 Certificate of Competence Far from People (A3) if you don't have an A2 Certificate of Competence.
UK2, UK3, UK4	C2, C3, C4	Far from People (A3)

Weight and where you can fly

This table shows which Open sub-category you can fly in based on the weight of your drone or model aircraft.

Use this table if your drone or model aircraft does not have a UK or European class mark. These aircraft are known as 'legacy' aircraft.

Weight	Open Category you can fly in
Less than 250g	Over People (A1)
Less than 4kg	Near People (A2) if you have an A2 Certificate of Competence
Less than 25kg	Far from People (A3)

UK class marks

Any new model of drone or model aircraft placed on the market from 1 January 2026 must have a UK class mark.

The class mark helps you know what Open sub-category you can fly in and whether you need a Flyer ID and Operator ID.

If your drone or model aircraft has a UK class mark, use the UK column in the class marks table to work out where you can fly.

Drones and model aircraft sold or distributed before 1 January 2026

If your drone or model aircraft was made before 1 January 2026, it's unlikely to have a UK class mark. You can still fly it based on its European C class mark or weight.

European C class marks

If your drone or model aircraft has a C class mark on it, the manufacturer has declared that it meets European class standards.

Until 31 December 2027, you can fly a C class aircraft as if it's the corresponding UK class. For example, you can fly a C0 class drone as if it is a UK0 class drone.

If your drone or model aircraft has a European C class mark, use the European column in the class marks table to work out where you can fly.

European drone class marks image

Legacy aircraft

Any drone or model aircraft that does not have a UK or European class mark is known as a legacy aircraft.

European C class marks from 1 January 2028

From 1 January 2028, you'll no longer be able to fly a European C class aircraft as if it's the corresponding UK class. It becomes a legacy aircraft and you'll need to fly in the appropriate Open sub-category according to its weight.

Weight

If your drone or model aircraft does not have a UK or European class mark, you'll need to fly in the appropriate Open sub-category according to the weight of your aircraft.

Use the weight table to work out where you can fly.

Flying larger, heavier drones and model aircraft

If you want to fly UK5 or C5, or UK6 or C6 class drone, you must get an Operational Authorisation from the CAA (opens in a new tab).

What the UK class marks mean

Drones and model aircraft must meet specific requirements before they can be given a UK class mark. The requirements cover factors such as weight, technical functions and safety features.