Minnesota is one of the few states with its own drone paperwork. Recreational pilots only need the free FAA TRUST certificate and FAA registration for drones of 250 g or more. Commercial pilots need a Part 107 certificate plus state aircraft registration with MnDOT ($25 a year per drone), annual liability insurance, and usually a MnDOT commercial operations license. Drones also can't take off or land in state parks.
Do you need a drone license in Minnesota?
Recreational pilots: no state license. Pass the free TRUST test, and register with the FAA ($5, 3 years) if your drone weighs 250 g or more. Hobby drones are exempt from state registration.
Commercial pilots: you need:
- A Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and FAA registration.
- State aircraft registration with MnDOT. Minnesota Statutes 360.55 sets the fee at $25 per year for drones under 55 lb that aren't flown solely for recreation.
- Annual liability insurance. MnDOT doesn't accept per-flight coverage.
- A Commercial Operations License from the MnDOT Office of Aeronautics if you provide drone services to others, such as delivering photos or video to a client.
Coordinated drone light shows must also register the fleet with MnDOT at least 15 days before the event.
Airspace: Minneapolis-St. Paul is Class B, and Rochester, Duluth and other cities have controlled airspace. Use LAANC and stay at or below 400 ft.
Minnesota state drone laws
- Police drones (Minn. Stat. 626.19): law enforcement generally needs a warrant to use a drone, with listed exceptions such as emergencies and missing person searches.
- Privacy (Minn. Stat. 609.746): Minnesota's interference with privacy law applies to people who use drones to look into homes or other private places.
- Wildlife: you can't use a drone to scout, locate, drive or take game. Interfering with hunters or anglers is also illegal under Minn. Stat. 97A.037.
Where you can fly in Minnesota
- State parks, recreation areas and waysides: aircraft, including drones, can't land on land or water inside the park. The DNR discourages flying over parks even if you launch outside them, and it can post site-specific orders.
- State forests: drones are allowed, though the DNR discourages use. Wildlife management areas prohibit disturbing wildlife.
- Boundary Waters and wilderness: the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is federal wilderness, where launching and landing drones is prohibited. Voyageurs National Park and other NPS sites ban drones.
- Cities: Minneapolis requires a permit for drones in city parks, and other park districts set their own rules.
Before you fly in Minnesota
- Check airspace and TFRs in B4UFLY or Aloft.
- Register commercial drones with MnDOT and keep insurance current.
- Launch outside state parks and away from wildlife.
- Carry your TRUST certificate or Part 107 card.
Winter flying drains batteries fast, so warm them before takeoff and land early. The DJI Mini 5 Pro and Mini 4 Pro weigh under 250 g and need no registration for hobby use. See flying in cold weather, and read the statute on the Minnesota Revisor site.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
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