Airffic InspectionThe future guide to drone inspection

REGULATIONS / MX

Mexico: drone rules for inspection

Mexico regulates drones under NOM-107-SCT3-2019. Drones are classed as micro (≤2 kg), small (2-25 kg) or large (>25 kg), and each class is split by use: recreational, private non-commercial or commercial. Commercial use needs registration and third-party insurance, plus a pilot authorisation or licence for small and large drones. Flights are daytime, VLOS, ≤122 m and within 457 m of the pilot by default, and BVLOS, night and over-people flights need a one-time special authorisation. Indoor flights are outside the NOM. The April 2024 five-year review ratified the NOM unchanged, and there is no specific rule for structures or infrastructure.

Checked against official sources

Fields are recorded in the language of the research notes.

Authority連邦民間航空庁 (AFAC) / Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil (AFAC), under the Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT)
Main frameworkNOM-107-SCT3-2019, 'Que establece los requerimientos para operar un sistema de aeronave pilotada a distancia (RPAS) en el espacio aéreo mexicano'. It was published in the DOF on 14 November 2019 and took effect 60 calendar days later, around 13 January 2020. Its five-year systematic review was presented to the national aviation standards committee (CCNN-TA) on 16 April 2024 and ratified it without changes.
RegistrationMicro (≤2 kg) and small (>2-25 kg) RPAS need a registration folio from the aeronautical authority's website. Large RPAS (>25 kg) need a registration certificate (matrícula) and, for private or commercial use, an airworthiness certificate. Private and commercial small RPAS also need an operating authorisation. By 2024, 7,817 RPAS were registered: 62% commercial, 26% recreational and 12% private non-commercial. Whether micro RPAS of 250 g or less are exempt from the folio was not confirmed (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22)
Remote IDThere is no Remote ID requirement. Large RPAS must carry an automatic identification device. Manufacturers and importers must fit micro RPAS over 250 g and small RPAS with geofencing that limits distance and altitude, plus a serial number.
Pilot licensingPrivate or commercial small RPAS need a pilot authorisation (autorización de piloto). Large RPAS need an RPAS pilot licence. The text sets no separate pilot authorisation for recreational micro and small RPAS. Private and commercial micro and small RPAS need approved third-party liability insurance, as do private and commercial large RPAS.
Risk categoriesThree weight classes (micro ≤2 kg, small >2-25 kg, large >25 kg), each split by use: recreational, private non-commercial or commercial. There is no Open/Specific scheme. Restricted operations (over people, from moving vehicles, BVLOS, several RPAS at once, night) need a one-time authorisation.
BVLOSMicro and small RPAS must stay within VLOS and no more than 457 m (1,500 ft) horizontally from the pilot. Private and commercial operators can fly BVLOS only with a one-time special authorisation, and recreational BVLOS is prohibited. The 2024 review reports 128 applications for RPAS operations in 2019-2024, about 9% of them approved.
Night & over peopleFlights are allowed from sunrise to sunset only. Private and commercial operators can fly at night with a one-time authorisation, which requires a night-capable pilot authorisation or licence, position lights, night procedures in the operations manual and a safety risk study. Recreational night flight is prohibited. No overflight of uninvolved people, except under protective structures or with RPAS of 250 g or less. Horizontal buffers from people: 10 m for recreational micro and small, 30 m for private or commercial small of 2-10 kg, 50 m for small over 10 kg and for large.
Near structuresMaximum height is 122 m (400 ft) AGL, or 100 m within the 5-10 NM ring around listed aerodromes. Flights must stay at least 9.2 km (5 NM) from aerodromes and 0.9 km from heliports, with tighter bans and height caps closer in. Prohibited, restricted and danger areas in the AIP (ENR 5.1), areas closed by NOTAM and published helicopter corridors are off-limits. The NOM has no specific rule for urban areas, structures, power lines or critical infrastructure.
Indoor & confinedNOM-107 does not apply to indoor operations. Responsibility rests with the facility owner and the event organiser.
Imaging & privacyThe federal personal data protection law applies to imagery of identifiable people (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22)
Recent changesThe 2024 five-year review ratified NOM-107-SCT3-2019 unchanged (CCNN-TA session 02/2024, 16 April 2024), finding that it keeps an acceptable level of safety and is consistent with ICAO. No amendment in 2025-2026 was found (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22)

Sources

Sources checked: 2026-10-22