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Drone Laws in Indiana - [Know Before Flying]

Updated in 2023 by Paul Posea
Indiana drone laws

Being a drone pilot doesn't mean you can fly your drone anywhere you want. Different states have rules and regulations that every drone pilot needs to follow. 

If you are considering flying your drone in Indiana, you have just come to the right place. Because in this article, you will learn all the rules and regulations before flying your drone in Indiana. 

I will also tell you some things to avoid to ensure you have an excellent flight without any unwanted events. If you are interested in learning all this, keep on reading!

Are Drones Allowed In Indiana?

The State of Indiana allows the flight of both commercial and recreational drones in its airspace, provided that the pilot fully follows the rules and regulations imposed by the local governments and FAA. 

If you are a recreational drone pilot, the main rule is to pass the FAA recreational UAS test known as "TRUST." Apart from that, if you are a commercial pilot, you will need to have a license from your respective organization that you can present whenever a law enforcement officer asks you to show. 

Indiana State Drone Laws

Some laws are put in place by the state government of Indiana. If you are a recreational drone pilot and want to explore different spots within Indiana, you must obey these laws. 

  • According to the Indiana code 14-22-6-16, Indiana prohibits the use of UAVs for help in hunting activity. 
  • Indiana Code 35-33-5-9 allow law enforcement officials to use drones during a case to obtain aerial photographs or recording of accidents on the street or public highways. 
  • The Senate bill SB 299 (2017) states that you cannot use your drone to follow one or more persons, contact one or more persons or capture the images of people without their consent.

Local Drone Laws in the Indiana State 

Besides the state laws, there are some local laws that both commercial and recreational drone pilots must follow. These rules include submitting the following information to the Fort Wayne Police department before taking off:

  • The Pilot must submit their contact details along with affiliates or assistants (if any).
  • The pilot must mention the purpose of flight, whether they are flying for commercial application or recreational activity.
  • The pilot will have to show the registration number issued by the FAA. 
  • The pilot must also submit FAA-issued remote pilot certificate number along with details.
  • The pilot must inform about the proposed area and time of the operation.
  • Pilots will also have to inform about the specific location where they want to fly their drone. 

Indiana State Park Drone Rules

According to the IAC 312 8-2-8 (I) (2018), no one can operate any kind of drone in any state park or recreational space in Indiana. However, the UAS operator must have a license from the department of natural resources (DNR) before using the drone for filming from the above. 

Is It Necessary To Register A Drone In Indiana?

Indiana requires drones to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration before you fly them. Also, if your drone weighs over 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds, you must attach the FAA's registration number to it.

Furthermore, if you are using the drone for just recreational purposes and if the drone's weight is less than 0.55 pounds, you don't need to register it. Additionally, you must always carry your drone's registration certificate, whether on paper or electronically.

Do You Need a Drone License in Indiana?

According to the FAA, every recreational pilot must get a drone license before flying their drone. You can get the drone license by taking the drone pilot test for the recreational pilot as mentioned earlier and is called the TRUST. 

You need to be at least 16 years old to become eligible for this test. Once you take the test and clear it, you will get a license that allows you to fly your drone anywhere in the state of Indiana. However, you still need to follow federal, state, and local laws. 

How to Register a Drone in Indiana?

The Federal Aviation Administration has made the registration process for drone pilots very simple. You will need to visit the FAA's website individually using this link. Then you will have to fill out a form by putting your name, address, and email. 

Apart from that, you will also need to submit your drone model, company name, and the serial number of the drone you want to fly. However, your age must be 16 years or above to become eligible for registration. In addition to this, you will need to have a credit card for the registration process. 

How to Schedule Your FAA Drone Test in Indiana?

Scheduling the FAA drone test is easier than you think. Thanks to the online registration system, you don't need to visit different offices again and again just to schedule your test. Here is a complete method of planning your FAA test in Indiana. 

  • First, go to this website and find the nearest center within 10 miles range. 
  • Next, you need to get your FAA tracking number (FTN). You can get it by visiting the FAA's IACRA website
  • Click register to create a new account for yourself.
  • Select the Applicant option.
  • You can skip the certificate information section. 
  • Next, you need to fill out the form on the next screen by putting all the simple information asked on the page. 
  • Once you get the FTN, you will need to create an account on the PSI

Note that you need to pay $175 for scheduling your FAA drone pilot exam. 

Can You Fly a Drone over Private Property in Indiana?

Indiana’s state laws prohibit flying drones over private properties. Even law enforcement officers need to get warranted with exceptions before using it in surveillance operations. 

Therefore, you should always avoid flying your drone over private properties as much as possible. Even if you intend to shoot a film from the above, you should always get permission from the respective property owner to avoid getting into trouble. 

author-paul-posea-picture
Hi, I'm Paul.
A big drone enthusiast, reviewing, comparing and writing about drones since 2015. I'm all about helping people enjoy and even monetize their hobby.

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paul posea
Paul Posea
Hi, I'm a long-time drone reviewer and I hope my articles and comparisons on this site as well as Dronesgator's youtube channel are of as much help as possible.
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