Airffic InspectionThe future guide to drone inspection

REGULATIONS / GB

United Kingdom: drone rules for inspection

The UK applies its retained version of EU Regulation 2019/947 with Open, Specific and Certified categories. From 1 January 2026 a Flyer ID is needed above 100 g, UK class marks (UK0-UK6) apply, and Remote ID is required for UK1-UK3 drones now and for legacy drones from 2028. BVLOS inspection has needed a UK SORA-based authorisation since April 2025, and the Atypical Air Environment policy (CAP3040) supports low flights close to structures such as power lines and wind turbines.

Checked against official sources

Fields are recorded in the language of the research notes.

Authority英国民間航空局 (UK CAA) / UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Main frameworkUK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 as retained and amended in UK law (the CAA authorises Specific-category operations under its Article 12, and UK SORA is an AMC to Article 11), alongside the Air Navigation Order 2016. A UK class-marking framework (UK0-UK6) applies from 1 Jan 2026. CAP 722 (UAS operations in UK airspace) is still listed by the CAA as Edition 9.2 of 16 April 2024; the 2026 changes are carried in the Drone Code and CAA web guidance rather than a new CAP 722 edition (no 2026 CAP 722 edition was found).
RegistrationSince 1 Jan 2026 (CAA news): under 100 g, no Flyer ID or Operator ID needed; 100 g to under 250 g without camera, Flyer ID required; 100 g to under 250 g with camera, and 250 g to under 25 kg, both Flyer ID and Operator ID required. Operator ID holders must be 18+ (a parent/guardian registers for minors). EU C-class drones may be flown as the matching UK class until 31 Dec 2027.
Remote IDRemote ID (broadcasting operator ID, serial number, position/height, course, pilot position and emergency status) is mandatory from 1 Jan 2026 for UK1, UK2 and UK3 class drones in the Open category and for UK1-UK3, UK5 and UK6 in the Specific category. From 1 Jan 2028 it is required for UK0 and UK4 aircraft and for legacy and privately built aircraft of 100 g+ with a camera; the CAA states that from 2028 Remote ID applies to all operations unless exempted.
Pilot licensingOpen category: Flyer ID covers Over People (A1) and Far from People (A3); the A2 Certificate of Competence is needed for Near People (A2). Operators can be liable if someone flies their drone without the right competence. Specific category: competence per the operational authorisation (CAA 'Remote Pilot Qualifications' guidance; the GVC was not re-read on an official page, 2026-10-22).
Risk categoriesOpen (subcategories now named Over People A1, Near People A2, Far from People A3), Specific (operational authorisation via PDRA01 or UK SORA), Certified. PDRA01 is the only PDRA: 250 g-25 kg, VLOS, anywhere in the UK subject to airspace restrictions (e.g. roof and building inspection). A3 requires 50 m from uninvolved people and 150 m from residential, recreational, commercial or industrial areas; an isolated building 50 m from others is not such an area but must itself be kept 50 m away. A2: 30 m from uninvolved people (5 m in low-speed mode).
BVLOSBVLOS needs a Specific-category operational authorisation via UK SORA, which replaced the Operating Safety Case (OSC) route on 23 April 2025 (transition arrangements exist for OSC holders). The CAA decided not to apply UK SORA AMC/GM changes scheduled for 1 Oct 2026; the current AMC/GM stay in force and changes will be combined into one update next year. The CAP number of the UK SORA document was not confirmed on an official page (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22).
Night & over peopleOpen category night flight requires a green flashing light (UAS.OPEN.060(2)(g)); the CAA says it can be retrofitted without invalidating a class mark, and from 1 Jan 2028 UK class-marked UAS need it where specified. Flying over uninvolved people is allowed only in A1 with suitable aircraft; not in A2/A3. Flying close to crowds or near people with a legacy drone over 250 g needs UK SORA.
Near structuresThe CAA's Atypical Air Environment policy (CAP3040, announced 15 Oct 2024) allows BVLOS in airspace volumes next to infrastructure (e.g. power lines, wind turbines) or buildings where few crewed aircraft are expected, keeping the drone low and close to the structure, within a Specific-category authorisation. Exact distance/height criteria were not read in the policy itself (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22). In the Open A3 subcategory, 150 m from industrial areas applies.
Indoor & confinedWhether flights fully inside a building fall outside UK drone rules (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22).
Imaging & privacyUK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 apply to imagery of identifiable people; the ICO publishes drone guidance (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22). The CAA states Remote ID broadcasts no personal identifying data.
Recent changes23 Apr 2025: UK SORA replaces OSC. 15 Oct 2024: Atypical Air Environment policy (CAP3040). 1 Jan 2026: Flyer ID for drones over 100 g, UK class marks UK0-UK6, Remote ID for UK1-UK3 (Open) and UK1-UK3/UK5/UK6 (Specific), end of Open-category legacy/transition provisions; EU class marks recognised to 31 Dec 2027. March 2026: Drone Code revision (building distances). May 2026: market surveillance investigating suspected class-mark non-compliance. 2026: planned 1 Oct 2026 UK SORA AMC/GM changes deferred to a single update next year. 1 Jan 2028: Remote ID for UK0/UK4, legacy and privately built 100 g+ with camera.

Sources

Sources checked: 2026-10-22