New UK drone offences and rules from 1 January 2026

If you fly a drone for fun, study or work, the UK’s rules change on 1 January 2026. A new statutory instrument-the Unmanned Aircraft (Offences and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025-brings in updated offences and penalties so police and courts can act when rules are ignored. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has already updated its guidance to reflect the switch-on date.

You’ll see the familiar three risk-based flight categories: Open for low‑risk flying, Specific for operations that need extra control, and Certified for the highest‑risk activities. Most hobbyists and students will be in the Open category; organisations that need to fly closer to people or in busy areas will often step into Specific. This structure is confirmed in the CAA’s guidance and in the minister’s explanation to Parliament.

Who’s who matters. The UAS operator is the person or organisation responsible for the aircraft and the rules; the remote pilot is the person on the sticks. In many education settings your school, college or club should register as the operator, while each flyer holds a Flyer ID. An Operator ID is required for organisations and most adult owners; it costs £11.79 for a year and must be labelled on the aircraft.

If you fly in the Open category, operators must do some basics or risk an offence. Register with the CAA and display the registration number on the aircraft; keep your geo‑awareness data up to date; and report safety‑related occurrences when they meet the reporting threshold. These duties sit in the UK’s version of Regulation 2019/947 and are referenced by the new offences instrument.

When a flight needs more than the Open rules allow-say you want to work in built‑up areas-you move into the Specific category. Here you must have a valid CAA Operational Authorisation (for example under PDRA01) or hold a Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) with the right privileges. Operators in Specific must follow their procedures, keep records and use any required certified equipment. The CAA sets out the PDRA route; Part C of the law explains LUCs and the ability, in some cases, to self‑authorise flights.

Model aircraft clubs have a dedicated path under Article 16. If you’re flying as a member within a club’s authorisation, you follow the conditions in that association’s handbook. The CAA lists which associations hold Article 16 authorisations and explains how this sits alongside Open and Specific flying.

Remote pilots have their own responsibilities. You must stay under 120 m (400 ft) unless a narrow exception applies, keep the aircraft in visual line of sight unless your authorisation explicitly allows BVLOS, and follow the Drone Code. These points are in the CAA’s guidance and are mirrored in the offences for remote pilots.

What counts as proof that you’re allowed to fly? From 1 January 2026 the CAA says you need a Flyer ID for any drone or model aircraft from 100 g upwards, and an Operator ID if it’s 250 g or more-or 100 g or more with a camera. Under 100 g, ID is optional, though the test is recommended. Until 31 December 2025, the old 250 g thresholds apply.

Penalties are being modernised and aligned with the new framework. Flying without the correct authorisation or certification can lead to a fine on summary conviction; in England and Wales fines are unlimited, while in Scotland and Northern Ireland they are capped at level 5 on the standard scale. Other rule breaches can attract level 2, 3 or 4 fines depending on the provision. The Sentencing Council and the Scottish Government explain what those levels mean in practice.

Here’s how this lands for you if you’re studying media and want to film a small campus event. With a sub‑250 g UK0/UK1 craft, you’ll need a Flyer ID; add an Operator ID if the aircraft has a camera and weighs 100–249 g. You can use the Open A1 rules to be near people but never fly over a crowd, keep under 120 m and stay in sight. If you need to fly a heavier aircraft closer to people, you’ll be looking at Open A2 with an A2 Certificate of Competence.

Running a STEM club or university lab? Register the organisation for an Operator ID, label your aircraft, and make sure each student who flies has a Flyer ID. If your missions take you into residential or commercial areas with heavier drones, expect to apply for a Specific category authorisation and keep proper records.

If you’re a club flyer, check whether your association’s Article 16 authorisation better fits your activity. Following the club handbook and staying within its conditions is key; your association or the CAA can confirm when Article 16 rules apply versus the Open category.

For advanced operators-such as colleges with regular inspection work or media departments flying frequent projects-a Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) can streamline approvals if the CAA grants self‑authorisation privileges. It’s for legal entities with mature systems, not individual hobbyists.

Finally, a practical routine that keeps you on the right side of the law: before every flight, confirm your IDs are valid, your aircraft label is present, your firmware and geo‑awareness data are up to date, your airspace check is clear, and your planned category and pilot competency match the job. Those habits show good faith and make any police interaction straightforward under the strengthened enforcement framework.