Some drone and model aircraft regulations are changing and come into force on 1 January 2026. This page shows the rules that apply from 1 January 2026 and highlight any differences until then. View a list of the updates.
Follow these key rules to fly safely and legally in the Open Category.
Read the Drone and Model Aircraft Code before you fly.
Open Category overview
Drone and model aircraft flying is split into categories that set out where you can fly and what you can do.
Everyone starts in the Open Category, which covers basic, low-risk flying.
The Open Category has three sub-categories, based on the weight or class of your drone or model aircraft.
Drone or model aircraft you can fly in the Open sub-categories:
| Sub-category | Weight or class of drone or model aircraft you can fly | Distance from people and places |
| Over People (A1) |
Less than 250g or C0 or UK0 or UK1 class. From 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2027, you can also fly a C1 class drone or model aircraft. |
You can fly closer to people than 50m, including people who are not involved in what you’re doing. You can fly over people, including people who are not involved in what you’re doing. |
| Near People (A2) |
UK2 class. Until 31 December 2027, you can also fly a C2 class drone or model aircraft. |
You must not fly within 30m of people unless they’re involved in what you are doing, or you fly in low speed mode. If you fly in low speed mode, you can reduce this distance to 5m from people. You must not fly over people who are not involved in what you're doing. |
|
Less than 2kg and not UK2 or C2 class. |
You must not fly within 50m of uninvolved people. You must not fly over people who are not involved in what you're doing. |
|
| Far from People (A3) |
UK2, UK3 or UK4 class. UAS that is privately built and less than 25kg. UAS that was placed on the market before 1 January 2026 and less than 25kg. Until 31 December 2027, you can also fly a C2, C3 or C4 class drone or model aircraft. |
You must not fly within 50m of uninvolved people. You must not fly over people who are not involved in what you're doing. You must not fly within 150m of residential, recreational, commercial or industrial areas. |
If you're just starting out flying drones or model aircraft, you'll start in either the Over People (A1) or Far from People (A3) sub-categories.
If you later decide you want to fly in the Near People (A2) sub-category, you must get a further certificate.
You must meet the requirements before you fly in the Open Category.
Flying in the Over People (A1) or Far from People (A3) sub-categories
The following overview introduces some of the key rules.
You should read the Drone and Model Aircraft Code before you fly.
Visual line of sight
You must be sure that you'll be able to spot any hazards, in the air or on the ground, and avoid any collisions. Find out more about visual line of sight
Airspace
Flying below this height reduces the risk of coming across other aircraft, but you still need to look and listen out for other aircraft, such as air ambulances, police helicopters, and low-flying military aircraft. Find out more about keeping clear of aircraft
Most of these sites are surrounded by a Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) where you must not fly without permission. Find out more on restriction zones
Crowds
A crowd is any group of people who cannot move away quickly because of the number of other people around them. Find out more about flying near people
People and places in the Over People (A1) sub-category
If you want to fly your drone or model aircraft in the Over People (A1) sub-category, your drone or model aircraft must weigh less than 250g or be UK0, UK1 or C0 class.
From 1 January 2026 until 31 December 2027, you can also fly a C1 class drone or model aircraft in the Over People (A1) sub-category.
Flying over and near people
You can fly over people as long as you fly safely and do not fly over crowds.
Residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas
You can fly in residential, recreational, commercial or industrial areas.
Find out more about flying in residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas
People and places in the Far from People (A3) sub-category
If you want to fly your drone or model aircraft in the Far from People (A3) sub-category, your drone or model aircraft must weigh less than 25kg, or be UK2 to UK4 class, or C2 to C4 class.
Do not fly closer to people than 50m horizontally
You must not fly closer to people than 50m horizontally unless they're involved in what you're doing.
You do not have to keep 50m away from people involved in what you're doing, but you must always keep a safe distance.
Remember, you must never fly over crowds.
Residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas
You must not fly in residential, recreational, commercial or industrial areas.
You must keep at least 50m from individual buildings. (This becomes law from 1 January 2026. We recommend doing this when flying before 1 January 2026.)
Find out more about flying in residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas
Use a flashing light when flying at night
If you fly a drone or model aircraft at night, your aircraft must have a flashing light turned on. This will make it easier for other people and aircraft to spot your aircraft.
What to do if your drone or model aircraft does not have a built-in light
If you want to fly at night and your drone or model aircraft does not have a built-in flashing light, you must securely fit a specialist drone flashing light.
The weight of the flashing light add-on is included in the overall weight of the drone or model aircraft, so you must check to see if the weight of the light means different regulations apply to your operation.
Privacy and property
You must always respect people's privacy and not cause a nuisance. Find out more about privacy
Make sure you're allowed to fly
Make sure the person or organisation that owns the land or property where you want to fly allows you to take off and land from their property. Find out more about where you can fly
Insurance
Make sure you have the appropriate insurance
If you fly for recreation or sport, you can choose whether to have insurance. If you fly commercially, you must have third party insurance.
It is against the law to fly a drone or model aircraft without having the required IDs. You can also be fined for breaking the law when flying. In the most serious cases, you could be sent to prison.What to do if you want to do more advanced flying
If you decide you want to do more advanced flying, you'll need to meet more requirements, such as passing more advanced qualifications and getting an authorisation from us.
Read our introduction to more advanced flying.