Do you need to register your drone?
It depends on how you fly. Every drone flown under Part 107 must be registered, regardless of weight. Recreational flyers under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations must register drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds.
Online registration in FAA DroneZone is for drones under 55 pounds. If you are not sure whether your flights count as recreational, our guide do you need a license to fly a drone explains the difference between the two paths.
How much does drone registration cost?
The official fee is $5. What that $5 covers depends on the path you register under:
| Part 107 | Recreational flyers | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | $5 per drone | $5 |
| What it covers | One drone; each drone is registered individually | All drones in your inventory |
| Valid for | 3 years | 3 years |
| Which drones | Every drone flown under Part 107, regardless of weight | Drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds |
Why are some registration sites more expensive?
Because they are not the FAA. The official fee is $5, and sites that ask for more are not the FAA. Some third-party sites look official and charge extra to submit the same form for you. Register directly in FAA DroneZone to avoid paying more than you need to.
Who can register a drone?
You must be at least 13 years old. If the owner is younger, a person 13 or older must register the drone. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. For foreign operators, the FAA treats the certificate as recognition of ownership.
A registration cannot be transferred between Part 107 and the recreational exception. If you start flying for a business purpose, register under Part 107 rather than relying on your recreational registration.
How do you register a drone step by step?
Have your details ready before you start, then follow these steps:
- Decide whether you register under Part 107 or as a recreational flyer.
- Have the Remote ID serial number provided by the manufacturer ready, if applicable.
- Have a credit or debit card for the $5 fee.
- Create or sign in to your account in FAA DroneZone and complete the registration.
- Mark the registration number on the outside of the drone.
- Keep proof of registration so you can show it when asked.
How does registration connect to Remote ID?
Drones that must be registered also have Remote ID requirements. Your DroneZone registration must include the serial number of the Standard Remote ID drone or of the broadcast module you use. Our Remote ID guide explains the three ways to comply.
Recreational flyers also need to pass TRUST and carry proof of completion. Our TRUST test guide explains how that free test works.
Is registration on the Part 107 test?
Registration rules sit in 14 CFR part 48, next to the operating rules in part 107, and the Part 107 test covers regulations as one of its topics. Knowing who must register, what it costs and how the aircraft is marked is part of being ready for the regulations questions.
Before you fly near an airport, remember that registration does not give you airspace access. Controlled airspace still requires an FAA authorization, which our LAANC guide explains.
Registration is only one piece of legal flying under Part 107. You also need the Remote Pilot Certificate, which requires passing the UAG knowledge test. Our free practice test shows how the official FAA sample questions are worded.