Drone Registration Online Process in the UK

Before You Start: What You Need

The CAA registration portal at register-drones.caa.co.uk handles all drone registrations in the UK. Before you begin, make sure you have the following ready:

• A valid email address you can access immediately (for verification)
• A debit or credit card for the £10.33 Operator ID fee
• About 30 minutes of uninterrupted time
• Basic knowledge of UK drone rules (the theory test covers these)

There are two distinct registration types you may need. A Flyer ID is for anyone who physically controls a drone. An Operator ID is for anyone responsible for a drone — the person or organisation that owns or manages it. Many hobbyist pilots need both.

Step 1: Create Your Account and Verify Your Email

Head to register-drones.caa.co.uk and select the option to create a new account. You will be asked for your full name, email address, and a password. Choose a strong password — the CAA recommends enabling two-factor authentication for additional security.

After submitting the form, the CAA sends a verification email. Click the link in that email to confirm your account. This usually arrives within a few minutes, though occasionally it may take slightly longer. Check your spam or junk folder if it does not appear.

Once verified, log in with your new credentials. Your dashboard gives you access to manage all registrations, take the theory test, and update your details going forward.

Step 2: Take the Theory Test for Your Flyer ID

The Flyer ID is free, but you must pass a short online theory test to obtain it. The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from the CAA Drone Code, the Air Navigation Order 2016, and general safety principles.

You need to answer at least 16 out of 20 correctly (an 80% pass mark). There is no time limit on individual questions, and the test is open book — you can reference the CAA Drone Code or other materials while answering.

Topics covered include:

• Maximum flight altitude (120 metres / 400 feet above ground level)
• Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) rules around airports and airfields
• Minimum distances from people, buildings, and congested areas
• Privacy considerations under the Data Protection Act 2018
• Weather awareness and emergency procedures

If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the test immediately at no extra cost. There is no limit on the number of retakes. Results are shown as soon as you submit. Once you pass, your Flyer ID is issued and remains valid for five years before you need to retake the test.

Step 3: Register for Your Operator ID

After obtaining your Flyer ID (or separately, if you only need the Operator ID), navigate to the Operator ID section of your dashboard. The Operator ID costs £10.33 per year and is payable by debit or credit card only — no other payment methods are currently accepted.

During this step, you confirm that you are the person responsible for the drone. If you are registering on behalf of an organisation, you can enter the organisation name instead. The portal assigns you an Operator ID in the format GBR-RP-xxxxx.

Your Operator ID renews annually. The CAA sends renewal reminders to your registered email address before the expiry date. If you let it lapse, you must not fly until the renewal is completed.

Step 4: Label Your Drone with the Operator ID

Once you have your Operator ID, you are legally required to display it on every drone you are responsible for. The label must be:

• Clearly legible and weather-resistant
• Placed on the drone body itself (not on the controller, carry case, or bag)
• Accessible without requiring tools to reach — though it does not need to be externally visible during flight (a battery compartment is acceptable)

Common methods include a printed adhesive label, an engraved plate, or a UV-resistant sticker. Permanent marker technically works but tends to fade over time and is not recommended for long-term use.

If you own multiple drones, the same Operator ID goes on all of them. There is no need to register each drone individually.

Managing Your Account After Registration

Your CAA account at register-drones.caa.co.uk serves as a central management hub. From your dashboard you can:

• View your Flyer ID and Operator ID at any time
• Update your address, email, or phone number
• Manage multiple registrations if you have several Operator IDs
• Reset your password if you forget it
• Renew your Operator ID when the annual renewal period arrives

The CAA recommends enabling two-factor authentication on your account. This adds a verification step each time you log in, protecting your registration details from unauthorised access.