Registering your drone with the Federal Aviation Association. The FAA has actually made the process rather smooth and straight forward.

Why is Drone Registration Necessary?

Plain and simple, the FAA wants every drone registered to increase the safety of people both in the air and on the ground. With more than 1 million drones registered with the FAA they have their hands full trying to keep people safe.

“Registration is all about safety,” says FAA spokesperson Jim Peters. “It provides us with a key opportunity to educate the new generation of airspace users that as soon as they start flying outside, they’re pilots. There are safety implications to how they fly, and there are rules and regulations they must follow. When necessary, registration will help us track down people who operate unsafely.”

Drone Pilots Will be Held Accountable for their Actions

There are countless examples of people flying their drones dangerously close to other aircraft and restricted areas. Drones have interfered with:

● Commercial airplanes,
● Planes and helicopters in the process of fighting wildfires.
● One even landed on the lawn of the White House.

The FAA sees the registration process as an important stepping-stone to a clear, long-term policy making drones safer for everyone.

Penalties for NOT Registering a Drone

It’s difficult for the FAA to enforce these penalties but the fines are steep.
● Civil penalties can reach $27,500!
● Criminal penalties can cost $250,000 and/or three years in prison!

Who Needs to Register their Drone?

Once the registration is complete then the pilot Registering once gives recreational pilots a registration number, akin to a driver’s license number. The recreation drone registration number applies to any drone that you may own and is good for three years. After the registration number expires then you will simply go through the registration process again.

When you buy another drone you’re not required to go through the registration process again because the registration number is for the person and not the drone itself.

Who Does NOT Need to Register their Drone?

  • If the drone weighs less than 0.55 pounds.
  • If the drone is only flown indoors.
  • If the drone weighs more than 55 pounds it must be registered under the FAA Part 47 Registration.

If the drone is for commercial purposes—which means you’re using your drone to make money, then a different, more cumbersome registration process is required. To learn more about registering your drone for commercial purposes then read our post HERE.

How to Register Your Drone

You’ll register your drone through the FAA’s website at faadronezone.faa.gov. The FAA website makes the registration process very simple.

You’ll also get a registration certificate emailed to you, which you’ll need to print out (or keep handy on your mobile device) and have with you when flying. Once your drone is officially registered you are cleared for takeoff!

Place the Registration Number on Your Drone

Finally, the FAA registration number must be placed on the exterior of the Drone