Drone Code Changes 2026
From 1st January 2026 Drone code changes Until December 31st 2027 where it changes again.
1st January 2026
Fly more drones in ‘Over People’ (Open A1)
You can fly drones up to 900g (with UK0/C0/UK1/C1 class marks) in the ‘Over people’ (Open A1) category. Previously, this was limited to <250g drones.
- Transitional Period: Until December 31, 2027, a C1-marked drone is treated as a UK1 drone.
- Flight Permissions: C1 drones can be flown in the A1 subcategory, allowing flights closer to uninvolved people (but not intentionally over them) than heavier drones.
- Weight Limit: C1 drones must weigh less than 900g.
- Remote ID: From January 1, 2026, new C1-marked drones must have built-in remote ID capabilities.
Examples of drones you can newly fly in ‘Over People’ (Open A1) are the
Key C1 Compliant Models (DJI Examples):
DJI Air 2S
DJI Air 3 / Air 3S
DJI Mavic 3 Classic
DJI Mavic 3 Cine
DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise (C1 edition)
DJI Mavic 3 Thermal (C1 edition)
With an A2 CofC, you can fly bigger drones in ‘Near People’ (Open A2)
Instead of 2kg, you can fly a drone up to 4kg (with a UK2 or C2 class mark) in the ‘Near People’ (Open A2) category. That allows you to fly as close as 5 metres from uninvolved people in low-speed mode, or 30 metres otherwise.
An example of a C2 drone is the 3.77 kg DJI Matrice 30T.
What if You Bought Your Drone Before 2026?
If your drone or model aircraft was sold or distributed before 1 January 2026, it is unlikely to have a UK class mark. These aircraft are often referred to as legacy drones.
You can still fly them, but the rules you must follow are based primarily on the weight of the aircraft, rather than a class label. Many existing flyers will therefore continue operating under familiar weight-based regulations, particularly during the transition period.
The CAA has defined several UK class marks, each linked to weight limits and operational categories:
- UK0 – Less than 250g
Fly in the Open Over People (A1) Category - UK1 – Less than 900g
Fly in Open Over People (A1) Category - UK2 – Less than 4kg
Fly in Open Near People (A2) Category (you must get a further certificate)
or Open Far From People (A3) Category - UK3 – Less than 25kg
Fly in Open Far From People (A3) Category - UK4 – Less than 25kg
Fly in Open Far From People (A3) Category - UK5 and UK6 – Less than 25kg
Operate in the Specific Category
EU Updated sub-categories in the Open Category
The Open Category is structured into:
- A1 – Over People
- A2 – Near People
- A3 – Far from People
UK5 and UK6 Drones
If you want to fly a UK5 (C5) or UK6 (C6) class drone, you must obtain authorisation from the CAA. These aircraft are intended for more complex or higher-risk operations and cannot be flown under standard Open Category rules.
European C Class Marks
If your drone or model aircraft has a C class mark on it, the manufacturer has declared that it meets the European class standards
Until 31 December 2027, you can fly a C class aircraft as if it is the corresponding UK class. For example, you can fly a C1 class drone as if it is a UK1 class drone.
Detailed Information: Remote ID
Remote ID is a system that allows drones and model aircraft to broadcast their identity and location while flying. As airspace becomes busier, Remote ID helps keep operations safe and secure by allowing the police and other authorities to determine whether an aircraft is being used legally.
Remote ID works by transmitting a Remote ID number from the aircraft using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology.
Your Remote ID Number
You can view your Remote ID number on the CAA Website in the My registration area
The CAA provide all registered operators with a Remote ID number.
If you are a new operator, you will need to register to get an Operator ID for your organisation. A RID will be generated at this point.
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