In the US, the FAA regulates every drone flight. There are two rule sets: recreational flyers pass the free TRUST test, register drones of 250 g or more, and fly at or below 400 ft; commercial pilots need a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and must register every drone. Both must get authorization near airports, keep the drone in sight, and broadcast Remote ID if the drone is registered. States and cities add rules on privacy, parks and takeoff locations.
Which rules apply to you
- Recreational: flying purely for fun. See recreational drone rules.
- Part 107: any flight for pay, for a business or in support of one, including real estate photos, inspections and sponsored content. See Part 107.
Rules for everyone
- Altitude: at or below 400 ft above ground. Part 107 pilots may go higher within 400 ft of a structure.
- Line of sight: keep the drone where you or a visual observer next to you can see it.
- Manned aircraft: always give way.
- Controlled airspace: get authorization before flying near most airports, usually in seconds through LAANC. See LAANC explained.
- People and traffic: don't fly over people or moving vehicles (Part 107 allows some flights over people in four categories). See flying over people.
- No-fly areas: TFRs such as wildfires, stadium events and VIP visits; national parks without a permit; military and restricted areas. See drone no-fly zones.
- Remote ID: required since March 16, 2024 for every drone that must be registered. DJI drones we sell at 250 g or more have it built in. See Remote ID explained.
Registration
$5 for 3 years at FAADroneZone. Recreational: required at 250 g (0.55 lb) or more. Part 107: required for every drone regardless of weight. Mark the number on the outside. See FAA registration.
Part 107 extras
- Knowledge test at an approved center, then free recurrent training every 24 months.
- Max groundspeed 100 mph (87 knots).
- Night flights with current training and anti-collision lights visible for 3 statute miles.
- Weather minimums: 3 miles visibility, 500 ft below and 2,000 ft horizontally from clouds.
- Waivers for operations outside the rules, such as beyond line of sight.
Drones under 250 g
Recreational flyers don't register sub-250 g drones like the DJI Mini 2 SE or DJI Mini 4 Pro with the standard battery, and they don't need Remote ID. TRUST and all flying rules still apply. See drone under 250 g rules.
State and local laws
States can't change FAA airspace rules, but they regulate privacy, trespass, hunting, critical infrastructure and their own parks. Cities often control takeoff and landing in parks. See drone laws by state and drone privacy laws.
What's new in 2026
The flying rules are unchanged. The big changes are about which drones can be sold: the FCC stopped authorizing new foreign-made drone models in December 2025, and tariffs on imported drones began in September 2026. See new drone laws in 2026.
Flying outside the US?
Every country has its own rules; some ban drones for visitors. See drone laws by country.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. The FAA's drone pages are the official source.
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Related guides
- Real estate drone shot list: the shots every listing needs
- Can you fly a drone over people? FAA rules explained
- Drone insurance for flying in Europe (what US pilots need)
- Drone no-fly zones in the US: where you can't fly
- Flying a drone in Europe as a US tourist: EU rules and operator registration
- What size drones have to be registered with the FAA?
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