Operator ID vs Flyer ID: UK drone registration explained
✓ Reviewed against CAA sources on 6 July 2026
The UK has two registration requirements, and most pilots need both. The Flyer ID shows you can fly safely — it's a free online theory test, valid for five years. The Operator ID registers the person responsible for the drone — it costs £12.34 per year and you must be 18 or over to register (a parent or guardian registers for under-18s who own a drone). It is against the law to fly without the IDs your drone requires.
What you need, by weight
| 250g – 25kg (or UK1–UK4 class) | Flyer ID and Operator ID required |
| 100g – 250g, with camera (UK0) | Flyer ID and Operator ID required |
| 100g – 250g, no camera (UK0) | Flyer ID required; Operator ID optional |
| Under 100g | Nothing required (Flyer ID recommended) |
The 100g Flyer ID threshold arrived with the January 2026 rule changes — under the old rules, sub-250g drones needed no test at all. That's no longer true, so treat any pre-2026 advice you read online with caution.
The practical bits
Most people take the test and register in one sitting on the CAA website. Your Operator ID must be labelled on every drone you're responsible for, and one Operator ID covers all of them. Children under 13 can get a Flyer ID but must take the test with a parent or guardian. Flying purely indoors (or inside a closed net) needs no IDs at all. The CAA does not recognise overseas registrations — visiting pilots need UK IDs too.
Official sources
This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The CAA links above are always the authoritative version.