Drone regulations
Do you need CAA approval for a drone survey?
Not always.
A drone pilot does not automatically need a CAA Operational Authorisation simply because they are carrying out a paid roof survey, building inspection or commercial photography assignment.
Some lower-risk drone surveys can legally be completed within the Open Category. More complex operations that cannot meet the Open Category rules must be completed within the Specific Category, which requires an appropriate CAA Operational Authorisation.
The correct requirements depend on the drone, the location, nearby people, airspace restrictions and how the flight will be conducted.
Table of contents
Is there a commercial drone licence in the UK?
There is no longer a separate UK licence that someone must hold simply because they are being paid to fly a drone.
The old Permission for Commercial Operations, commonly known as the PfCO, was withdrawn at the end of 2020.
UK drone regulations now focus on the risk and circumstances of the flight. Important factors include the aircraft being used, its weight and class, the location, nearby people, airspace and the way the operation will be conducted.
A commercial drone survey may therefore be completed in either:
- The Open Category for lower-risk operations.
- The Specific Category for operations requiring additional permission and risk controls.
Payment for the work does not, by itself, determine which category applies.
Can a roof survey be completed without an Operational Authorisation?
Yes, in some circumstances.
A pilot using a suitable lightweight drone may be able to complete a drone roof survey within the Open Category, provided the operation complies with the applicable rules.
This may include straightforward visual inspections of residential or commercial roofs where:
- A suitable aircraft is used.
- The flight can be completed within the relevant Open Category limits.
- The pilot can operate safely around uninvolved people.
- The site is outside restricted airspace, or the necessary airspace permission has been obtained.
- The pilot holds the required CAA registrations.
- Appropriate commercial drone insurance is in place.
A typical roof inspection using a lightweight drone may therefore be possible without:
- A GVC.
- A Specific Category Operational Authorisation.
- A PDRA01 Operational Authorisation.
However, this is not automatic. The pilot must assess the exact property, surrounding area, nearby people, airspace and aircraft before deciding how the flight can legally be completed.
When might an Operational Authorisation be needed?
A CAA Operational Authorisation is required when the planned flight cannot be completed within the Open Category and the operation falls within the Specific Category.
This may be relevant where the assignment involves:
- A heavier drone in a residential, commercial or industrial area.
- Operating closer to uninvolved people than the Open Category permits.
- Complex or congested sites.
- Specialist survey equipment or larger aircraft.
- Operating methods outside standard Open Category limits.
- Flights requiring more detailed risk controls.
- Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations.
- Operations covered by a published risk assessment or bespoke operating safety case.
PDRA01 is one route used for certain Specific Category operations in residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.
Roof inspections and building surveys may sometimes be conducted under PDRA01, but this does not mean every roof inspection requires PDRA01.
Whether it is needed depends on the proposed flight.
Does a drone survey pilot need a GVC?
Not for every survey.
A General Visual Line of Sight Certificate, known as a GVC, is evidence of remote-pilot competency used for certain Specific Category operations.
It is not:
- A general commercial drone licence.
- A replacement for an Operational Authorisation.
- Required simply because a pilot is being paid.
- Automatically required for every roof or property survey.
For a Specific Category operation, the operator must hold an appropriate Operational Authorisation and the pilot must meet the competency requirements stated within it.
Depending on the authorisation, the required competency may include a GVC, Remote Pilot Certificate or other accepted training and experience. Training must be delivered through a CAA approved training provider.
A pilot completing an appropriate Open Category roof survey does not need a GVC solely because the customer is paying for the service.
What about an A2 CofC?
An A2 Certificate of Competency allows a pilot to operate within the Near People A2 sub-category where the aircraft and operation meet the relevant requirements.
It can be useful for some commercial surveys, but it is not a general commercial drone licence and is not compulsory for every survey.
Whether an A2 CofC is relevant depends on:
- The aircraft being used.
- The drone's class or legacy status.
- The distance from uninvolved people.
- The location and operating environment.
- The rules in force at the time of the flight.
What does a commercial drone pilot need?
Appropriate CAA registration
The operator — the person or organisation responsible for managing the drone — must hold an Operator ID where required by the aircraft's weight, camera or class. This generally includes drones weighing 250g or more, drones weighing 100g or more that have a camera, and UK1, UK2, UK3 or UK4 class aircraft. The remote pilot must hold a valid Flyer ID to fly a drone weighing 100g or more and must hold any additional competency required for the proposed operation. For example, an A2 CofC is required to operate in the Near People (A2) sub-category, while a Specific Category Operational Authorisation may require a GVC, Remote Pilot Certificate or other stated competency. Every aircraft for which an Operator ID is required must be clearly labelled with that Operator ID on the main body of the aircraft.
Commercial drone insurance
A drone used for commercial work must have suitable third-party insurance. The cover should comply with the applicable requirements of Assimilated Regulation EU 785/2004. Standard recreational drone insurance may not be suitable for paid work.
Site and flight assessment
The pilot should assess the survey location, nearby people and buildings, the aircraft and sensors being used, take-off and landing areas, weather conditions, airspace restrictions, privacy and data-protection considerations, emergency procedures, and the required image or data quality.
Airspace permission where required
The Open Category does not override airspace restrictions. A flight may require permission from an airport, airfield or relevant authority where it takes place inside a Flight Restriction Zone or other restricted airspace. Airspace permission and a CAA Operational Authorisation are separate requirements.
Additional authorisation where required
Where a flight falls within the Specific Category, the operator must hold an applicable Operational Authorisation. The remote pilot must also meet the competency and experience requirements set out within that authorisation.
What should a customer ask a drone survey provider?
Customers should not automatically demand a GVC or Operational Authorisation for every drone survey.
A better question is:
"Which operating category will this survey be completed under, and why is that category suitable for this particular flight?"
Customer checklist
- Do you hold the appropriate CAA Operator ID?
- Does the pilot hold the required Flyer ID or competency certificate?
- Do you have commercial drone insurance?
- Which aircraft will be used?
- Will the flight be conducted in the Open or Specific Category?
- Does the site require airspace permission?
- Is an Operational Authorisation required for this assignment?
- How will nearby people and property be managed?
- How will privacy and personal data be protected?
- What experience does the pilot have with this type of survey?
A professional drone provider should be able to explain the legal basis for the operation clearly. Simply listing qualifications does not demonstrate that they are relevant to the proposed assignment.
Why the aircraft matters
Two pilots surveying the same roof may face different regulatory requirements because they intend to use different aircraft.
A lightweight drone may be capable of completing a straightforward visual roof inspection within the Open Category.
A heavier survey drone carrying specialist thermal, LiDAR or mapping equipment may require greater separation distances or a Specific Category Operational Authorisation.
The aircraft should be selected based on:
- The imagery or data required.
- The risks presented by the site.
- The legal limits applying to the aircraft.
- The competency and authorisations held by the operator.
- Weather and environmental conditions.
- The level of accuracy required.
The pilot with the most qualifications is not automatically the best match.
The best match is a pilot with the appropriate equipment, experience, insurance, registrations and legal permissions for that particular assignment.
How Drone Assisted checks each assignment
Drone Assisted does not treat every drone survey as though it has identical regulatory requirements.
Before matching a pilot, we consider:
- The location and type of property.
- The purpose of the survey.
- The imagery or data required.
- The drone and sensors needed.
- Nearby people and buildings.
- Airspace and local restrictions.
- Whether the flight can be completed in the Open Category.
- Whether an A2 CofC, GVC, Remote Pilot Certificate or Operational Authorisation is required.
- The pilot's relevant experience and insurance.
We then match the assignment with a pilot who has the appropriate registrations, insurance, equipment, experience and authorisations for the proposed flight. See typical UK drone pilot prices for indicative costs.
What we check on every assignment
Frequently asked questions
Need a drone survey?
Drone Assisted connects property owners, businesses, insurers, surveyors and facilities managers with verified commercial drone pilots throughout the UK.
Tell us what needs surveying and where the property is located. We will assess the assignment and match it with a pilot who has the appropriate equipment, experience, insurance and legal permissions.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. Drone operating requirements depend on the aircraft, location, nearby people, airspace and proposed flight. Regulations may change. The drone operator and remote pilot remain responsible for confirming that each operation is conducted safely and legally.