Big Changes Are Coming for UK Drone Laws from January 2026
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If you fly a drone or model aircraft in the UK, significant regulatory changes are coming into force from 1 January 2026. These updates, announced by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), will affect aircraft requirements, pilot responsibilities, and how drones are identified in the air.
As drone use grows and skies become more congested, these changes to drone laws aim to improve safety, clarity, and public confidence in the sector. Below is a breakdown of what’s new — and how it differs from the rules operators are used to today.
1. Class Marks and New Product Standards
What’s changing
The UK is introducing class marks and new product standards for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). These class marks clearly define what a drone can do and where it can fly. Operators flying class-marked aircraft will benefit from simpler rules and, in many cases, greater operational freedom.
What the law used to be
Previously, most UK drone rules were based primarily on weight and operational category, with limited differentiation between aircraft capabilities. Many operators flew “legacy” drones that didn’t clearly fit into modern regulatory frameworks, often leading to more restrictive or complex operating rules.
2. Green Flashing Light Required for Night Flying
What’s changing
From January 2026, any drone or model aircraft flown at night must be fitted with a green flashing light, and the light must be switched on during night operations.
What the law used to be
Under the current rules, drones flown at night were required to be operated safely and remain visible, but there was no specific requirement for a green flashing light. Operators could rely on built-in LEDs or other visibility measures, which varied widely in effectiveness.
3. Flyer ID Required for Aircraft Over 100g
What’s changing
Anyone flying a drone or model aircraft weighing 100g or more will need to:
Pass the CAA theory test
Hold a valid Flyer ID
What the law used to be
Previously, the Flyer ID requirement applied mainly to drones 250g and above, with some exceptions. Many lighter drones could be flown legally without passing the test, even though they were capable of flying in shared airspace.
4. Remote ID Becomes Mandatory
What’s changing
Remote ID will become a core requirement for drone operations:
From 1 January 2026, all UK class-marked drones (UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5 and UK6) must broadcast the operator’s Remote ID and associated information while flying.
From 1 January 2028, this requirement will extend to:
Legacy (non-class-marked) drones
Model aircraft
Privately built drones
What the law used to be
Until now, Remote ID has not been mandatory in the UK. While some drones already broadcast identification data, there has been no universal requirement for in-flight identification of operators.
5. CAA Becomes the UAS Market Surveillance Authority
What’s changing
The CAA will take on a new role as the UK’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Market Surveillance Authority (MSA). This means it will:
Check that drones sold in the UK meet required safety standards
Monitor compliance across manufacturers and retailers
Take enforcement action where products do not comply
What the law used to be
Previously, responsibility for product compliance was more fragmented, with limited direct oversight of drone products entering the UK market. This sometimes resulted in non-compliant or poorly documented drones being widely available for purchase.
Why These Drone Laws Matter
These updates reflect a shift toward capability-based regulation. The official word is these regulations improve accountability, and work towards better integration of drones into UK airspace. Together, they aim to:
Improve safety in increasingly busy skies
Strengthen public trust in drone operations
Make the rules clearer and more consistent
Support the long-term growth of the UK drone industry
What Operators Should Do Now
The changes take effect from January 1st 2026 (and later for some requirements), operators should start preparing by:
Checking whether future purchases will need UK class marks
Planning for Remote ID compliance
Understanding the updated Flyer ID requirements
Staying informed via updated CAA guidance
Bottom line: the rules are changing, but they’re designed to bring clarity, safety, and confidence to a fast-growing sector — and to better reflect how drones are actually used today.
What This Means for Tiny Whoops
For pilots flying Tiny Whoops and other RC drones weighing less than 100g and flown exclusively indoors, the good news is that very little changes under the new regulations.
Indoor flying remains outside CAA airspace rules
UK aviation law primarily applies to aircraft flown in UK airspace. Flying indoors — such as in homes, sports halls, warehouses, or dedicated indoor FPV venues — is not considered airspace use, so CAA operational rules generally do not apply.
That means:
No Flyer ID is required for sub-100g drones flown only indoorsNo Operator ID is required
No Remote ID is required
No class marks are required
No green flashing light is required for night flying indoors
As long as the aircraft never leaves the building, these regulations do not come into play.
Weight threshold changes do not affect Tiny Whoops
Although the new rules introduce a 100g threshold for Flyer ID requirements, Tiny Whoops typically weigh well below this limit. As a result, even if they were flown outdoors, many Tiny Whoops would still sit beneath the regulatory weight trigger — though outdoor flying would still bring other rules into scope.
No impact from Remote ID or class marking
Remote ID and class marking apply to aircraft operating in UK airspace. Indoor-only Tiny Whoops do not need:
Remote ID broadcast capability
Manufacturer class marks
Compliance with UAS product standards
This keeps indoor FPV racing and freestyle accessible and low-barrier.
While CAA regulations don’t apply indoors, normal health and safety, insurance, and venue rules still do. Clubs, commercial venues, and event organisers may impose their own safety requirements, especially where spectators are present.
The takeaway
If you fly Tiny Whoops under 100g exclusively indoors, the upcoming changes:
Do not restrict your flying
Do not add new admin or equipment requirements
Do not change how indoor FPV has operated historically
In short, indoor micro-drone flying remains one of the least regulated, most accessible parts of the RC and FPV hobby — and that looks set to continue well beyond 2026.
