Do I need a license to fly a drone for fun?
Purely recreational flying falls under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations, 49 U.S.C. 44809, not under Part 107. You do not need a Remote Pilot Certificate. You do need to pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof of completion whenever you fly.
TRUST is free, online and has no minimum age; see our TRUST test guide. It is given by FAA-approved test administrators, so take it through one of them rather than through a site that asks for money.
What rules apply to recreational drone flights?
The TRUST completion certificate lists the conditions for recreational flying:
- Fly only for recreational purposes.
- Follow the safety guidelines of a community-based organization.
- Keep the drone within visual line of sight.
- Give way to and do not interfere with manned aircraft.
- Get authorization before flying in controlled airspace.
- Do not fly higher than 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace.
When is a drone flight not recreational?
This is where many people get it wrong. The FAA states that not being paid is not the only factor in deciding whether a flight is recreational. If a flight is for any business purpose, Part 107 and the Remote Pilot Certificate apply, even when nobody pays you for that particular flight.
If you are unsure how your flights are classified, check the FAA's recreational flyer guidance before you fly. It is far easier to sort this out in advance than after the fact.
Do you need a license to fly a drone for business?
Yes. Anyone flying a drone for business purposes in the US needs the Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107. To get it you pass the Unmanned Aircraft General, Small (UAG) knowledge test at a PSI testing center, then apply through IACRA and complete a TSA security check.
The test has 60 multiple-choice questions, a 2 hour limit and a 70% passing score. You must be at least 14 to take it and at least 16 to be issued the certificate. Our guide on how to get a drone license walks through every step.
Do you have to register your drone?
Registration depends on how you fly, as our drone registration guide explains. Recreational drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds must be registered in FAA DroneZone. Under Part 107, every drone must be registered, whatever its weight, and the drone must weigh less than 55 pounds. Registration costs $5 per drone and is valid for 3 years.
Drones that must be registered also have Remote ID requirements. Check the FAA Remote ID guidance and our Remote ID overview for the details that apply to your drone.
TRUST vs Part 107: what is the difference?
This comparison uses the official requirements for each path:
| Recreational (TRUST) | Business purpose (Part 107) | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | 49 U.S.C. 44809 | 14 CFR part 107 |
| Test | TRUST, online | UAG knowledge test at a PSI testing center |
| Test cost | Free | $175 per attempt |
| Minimum age | None for TRUST | 14 to test, 16 for the certificate |
| Proof to carry | TRUST completion certificate | Remote Pilot Certificate |
| Registration | Drones over 0.55 pounds, $5 for 3 years | Every drone, $5 for 3 years |
What should you do next?
If you fly purely for fun, take TRUST through an FAA-approved administrator, register your drone if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds, and keep the listed conditions in mind on every flight.
If your flights have any business purpose, start preparing for the Part 107 test. Try the FAA's official sample questions to see where you stand.