REGULATIONS / ID
Indonesia: drone rules for inspection
Indonesia regulates drones through PM 37/2020 on airspace use (in force) and CASR Part 107 (PM 63/2021) for small UAS up to 25 kg. Drones over 250 g and up to 25 kg must be registered, and pilots need a small-UAS certificate (age 17+, knowledge test). Flights are daytime and VLOS by default, and night or BVLOS needs an exemption. Up to 120 m in uncontrolled airspace needs no DGCA approval, but controlled airspace, airport safety zones (KKOP) and flights above 120 m need approval applied for 14 working days ahead. Within 400 ft of a building, flight up to 400 ft above its top is allowed. Filming needs written permission from the property owner and aerial survey or photography needs a security clearance, which matters for inspection work.
Checked against official sources
Fields are recorded in the language of the research notes.
| Authority | インドネシア運輸省航空総局 (DGCA Indonesia) / Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ministry of Transportation, Indonesia |
| Main framework | PM 37/2020, on operating unmanned aircraft in Indonesian-served airspace. It was signed 2 June 2020, promulgated 8 June 2020 (Berita Negara 2020 No. 579), revokes PM 180/2015 and PM 47/2016, and is listed as in force with no recorded amendment in the BPK legal database. PM 63/2021 (CASR Part 107, small UAS ≤25 kg; set 8 July 2021, promulgated 19 July 2021) replaces PM 163/2015. PM 33/2022 (CASR Part 119) requires an RPAS Operator Certificate for UAS air transport. |
| Registration | Under CASR Part 107 (PM 63/2021), small unmanned aircraft over 250 g and up to 25 kg must be registered with the Directorate General before flight. Owners must be Indonesian citizens or entities, with limited exceptions. Certificates are valid up to 3 years, and the 8-character registration ID must be displayed at set minimum sizes. |
| Remote ID | Neither PM 37/2020 nor PM 63/2021 contains a Remote ID requirement (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22) |
| Pilot licensing | A remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating is required (Part 107 Subpart C). Requirements: Indonesian citizenship, age 17 or over, English ability, medical fitness, aeronautical knowledge (test or equivalent), and recurrent knowledge every 24 months. Uncertificated persons may fly only under direct supervision of a remote pilot in command. Hobby flying gets some relief, for example for aircraft of 7 kg or less or within community organisations. UAS air transport also needs an RPAS Operator Certificate (PM 33/2022), with a head remote pilot who holds a remote pilot licence. |
| Risk categories | CASR Part 107 covers small UAS of 25 kg or less. There is no Open/Specific scheme. Deviations go through exemptions (107.200/107.205), which rest on a Specific Operation Risk Assessment. |
| BVLOS | The pilot, visual observer and flight operator must keep unaided VLOS (107.31). BVLOS needs an exemption from 107.31 under 107.200, based on a Specific Operation Risk Assessment. No exemption may allow carrying others' property for compensation. |
| Night & over people | Daylight only (sunrise to sunset; 107.29). Night operations need an exemption, and under PM 37/2020 Director General approval after a safety assessment. Flying over people is barred unless they are taking part or are sheltered in a building or stationary vehicle (107.39). Other waivers are at the Directorate General's discretion. |
| Near structures | Up to 400 ft (120 m) AGL in uncontrolled airspace needs no DG approval. Higher flights, and any flight in controlled airspace or in an airport's KKOP (aviation operations safety area) or within 3 NM of a helipad, need DG approval (applied for 14 working days ahead, with an AirNav/LPPNPI assessment and insurance). CASR Part 107 allows flight above 400 ft within a 400 ft radius of a building, up to 400 ft above its top, which helps tall-structure inspection. Prohibited and restricted areas (AIP ENR 5) need the area authority's approval. Cameras may not be used within 500 m of their outer boundary. Defence authorities enforce violations involving threats to government centres, the economy or national vital objects, and may stop operations immediately, jam frequencies or force landings. |
| Indoor & confined | (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22) |
| Imaging & privacy | Photography or filming needs written permission from the competent institution or the owner of the property below, and aerial survey, mapping or aerial photography needs a Security Clearance (PM 37/2020). The Personal Data Protection Law (UU 27/2022), fully in effect from October 2024, also applies (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22) |
| Recent changes | No 2024-2026 amendment to PM 37/2020 is recorded in the BPK database (status 'Berlaku'). Changes to CASR Part 107 after PM 63/2021 were not checked (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22) |
Sources
- Permenhub PM 37 Tahun 2020 (full text with attachment)Full text read
- Permenhub PM 37 Tahun 2020 (Berita Negara 2020 No. 579)Full text read
- Permenhub No. 37 Tahun 2020 – details and statusAbstract read
- PM 63 Tahun 2021 – CASR Part 107 Sistem Pesawat Udara Kecil Tanpa Awak (copy hosted by a private company)Full text read
- Permenhub PM 33 Tahun 2022 – CASR Part 119Full text read
Sources checked: 2026-10-22