From January 2026, the UK's drone licensing framework changed. If you own a drone weighing 100 grams or more, you need a Flyer ID. If you want to fly commercially or operate a heavier aircraft, you need an A2 Certificate of Competency. And if you're running operations beyond "open category" rules, you need a General Visual Certificate (GVC). This guide walks you through each qualification, the costs, and how to obtain them.

The Three Tiers of UK Drone Pilot Qualification

The CAA has restructured drone licensing into three clear levels:

Tier 1: Flyer ID (Recreational & Small Commercial)

  • Who needs it: Anyone flying a drone 100g or heavier
  • From: 31 January 2026
  • Cost: £9 (online registration with CAA)
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Scope: Open category flights up to 120m altitude, visual line of sight (VLOS), away from people/property
  • Renewal: Automatic until age 70; then every 3 years with medical/age verification

Tier 2: A2 Certificate of Competency

  • Who needs it: Commercial operators, higher-risk aircraft, flights near people
  • Cost: £100–£200 (theoretical exam + practical assessment)
  • Duration: Indefinite (no renewal required)
  • Scope: Fly within 30m of uninvolved people, operate slightly heavier drones, extended operational zones
  • Prerequisites: Flyer ID + pass theoretical test + pass practical flying assessment
  • Training: 5–10 hours typical preparation

Tier 3: General Visual Certificate (GVC)

  • Who needs it: BVLOS operations, night flying, special categories, commercial work beyond A2 scope
  • Cost: £2,000–£5,000 (instructor-led training, theory, practicum, operations manual development)
  • Duration: 2 years (requires recertification)
  • Scope: Unrestricted airspace, beyond visual line of sight, night operations, complex environments
  • Prerequisites: A2 CofC + substantial flying experience + operations manual + risk assessment
  • Training: 50–100 hours typical preparation

🐣
Piyo 🐣 (Beginner Pilot)

Piyo: "So I just bought a DJI Mini 3. Do I need a licence?"

Poppo: "First, check the weight. If it's under 100g, you need nothing—just fly responsibly. If it's 100g or over, you need a Flyer ID. That's £9, takes 15 minutes online." Moo: "And if I want to charge people for aerial photos?" Poppo: "Then you're commercial. You still need a Flyer ID, plus an A2 Certificate if your operation fits that scope—which most small photography work does. That's £100–£200 for the certificate." Piyo: "What about flying at night or over busy areas?" Poppo: "That's GVC territory. You need serious training, a detailed operations manual, and CAA approval. Budget £2,000–£5,000 and several months of preparation."

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The 100g Threshold Change (January 2026)

Before January 2026, the threshold was 250g. Now it's 100g. This affects millions of drone users globally.

What changed:
  • Drones 100–249g now require Flyer ID (previously unregulated)
  • Drones under 100g remain unregulated (but always follow common-sense safety rules)
  • Drones 250g+ still require full A2/GVC depending on use

Why? The CAA (aligned with EASA) recognised that even small drones pose collision and injury risks. A 150g drone falling from 100m can cause serious injury. The 100g threshold brings consistency with global drone regulations. Action required: If you own a 100–249g drone, register for Flyer ID by 31 January 2026 or stop flying.

How to Get Each Qualification

Flyer ID: Step-by-Step

  1. Go to: https://www.caa.co.uk/drones (or UAV operator/flyer registration portal)
  2. Create account: Name, email, address, date of birth
  3. Answer safety theory quiz: ~10 multiple-choice questions on airspace, safety, CAA rules
  4. Pay: £9 online (debit/credit card)
  5. Receive: Digital Flyer ID (PDF) + registration number
  6. Activate: Valid immediately; printed certificate arrives by post in 5–7 days

Total time: 15–20 minutes. You can begin flying once you receive the PDF.

A2 Certificate of Competency: Step-by-Step

  1. Prerequisites: Active Flyer ID + minimum 10 hours logged flying time
  2. Theoretical exam: Book a CAA test centre appointment (£100). 50-question exam, 75% pass mark, 60 minutes
  3. Practical assessment: Once you pass theory, arrange with an approved A2 assessor (typically £100–£150)
  4. Practical test: Demonstrate safe flying within 30m of people, controlled descent, emergency procedures (20–30 minutes)
  5. Receive: A2 Certificate (digital + posted)

Total cost: £200–£300 Total time: 4–8 weeks (theory preparation + test + practical scheduling) Where to train: Flight schools, drone clubs, online theory courses

GVC: Step-by-Step (Complex)

  1. Prerequisites: A2 CofC + 200+ logged flying hours + operations manual (draft)
  2. Enrol in training: Find an approved GVC training provider (significant investment required)
  3. Complete coursework:

  • Advanced theory (weather, airspace, regulations, risk management)
  • Advanced flight skills (complex manoeuvres, emergency procedures)
  • Operations manual development (tailored to your specific operations)

  1. Practical assessment: Intensive multi-day evaluation with examiner
  2. Submit for approval: CAA reviews your operations manual and issues GVC
  3. Renew: Every 2 years with recurrent training

Total cost: £2,000–£5,000+ Total time: 3–6 months Where to train: Dedicated drone flight academies (approved by CAA)

🐮
Moo 🐮 (MmowW Founder)

Moo: "So if I'm doing a simple aerial survey of a field, what licence do I need?"

Poppo: "Flyer ID minimum. If you're flying near buildings, livestock, or people, A2 Certificate. If the farm wants multiple flights over several days, you might consider GVC so you can operate more flexibly." Piyo: "Is GVC worth it for a small operation?" Poppo: "Only if you're doing high-value work—infrastructure inspections, emergency response, precision agriculture. For occasional commercial work, A2 usually covers you." Moo: "What about recurrent training? Do I have to keep paying?" Poppo: "Flyer ID and A2 don't require renewal training—once you have them, you keep them. GVC requires 2-year recertification, which means more training costs. That's one reason to stay below GVC if you can."

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Costs at a Glance

Qualification Cost Duration to Obtain Valid For Renewal Cost
Flyer ID £9 15–20 min 3 years £9 (auto-renew until 70)
A2 Certificate £200–£300 4–8 weeks Indefinite None
GVC £2,000–£5,000 3–6 months 2 years £800–£1,500 (recurrent training)

FAQ: UK Drone Pilot Licensing

Q: I own a 150g drone. Do I need Flyer ID from January 2026?

A: Yes. The 100g threshold applies from 31 January 2026. Register immediately if you plan to fly after that date.

Q: Can I use my overseas drone licence in the UK?

A: Partially. Some EU drone licences are recognised under mutual agreements. A2 CofC holders from certain countries may apply for UK recognition. For GVC, you'll need to complete UK-specific training. Check with CAA for your country.

Q: How long does the A2 Certificate exam take?

A: Theoretical exam: 60 minutes (50 questions). Practical assessment: 20–30 minutes of flying. Total course time: 4–8 weeks (including preparation and scheduling).

Q: If I get GVC, do I still need Flyer ID?

A: No. GVC supersedes Flyer ID—GVC holders can operate beyond open category rules. But you must hold the A2 Certificate as a prerequisite for GVC.

Q: What if I let my Flyer ID expire?

A: You cannot legally fly drones 100g+ without an active Flyer ID. Renewal is simple (£9 online) and must happen before expiry.

Q: Can I train multiple pilots under one operation?

Compliance with MmowW

At MmowW (£5.29/drone/month), we track pilot qualifications for all operators in your fleet. Our system alerts you when Flyer IDs expire, stores A2 Certificate details, and maintains records of GVC recertification deadlines. This ensures regulatory compliance without manual tracking.

Last updated: 8 April 2026. Information reflects CAA regulations and EASA harmonisation. Confirm current fees and procedures at caa.co.uk.