US Drone Laws: Federal Rules, State Regulations, and What You Need to Know (2026)

The FAA is the sole authority over US airspace. No state or city can override federal airspace rules, though they can add restrictions on land use, privacy, and where you launch from. Every drone pilot in America, recreational or commercial, must comply with these federal baselines.

Registration

All drones weighing more than 250 grams (0.55 lbs) must be registered with the FAA before their first outdoor flight. Registration costs $5 and lasts three years. Recreational pilots register once and apply that number to all their drones. Part 107 commercial pilots register each drone individually. You must display the registration number on the exterior of the aircraft (or in a battery compartment accessible without tools). Flying an unregistered drone carries civil penalties up to $27,500 and criminal penalties up to $250,000.

Register at the FAA DroneZone. For a full cost breakdown, see our FAA registration guide.

Remote ID

Since March 2024, all registered drones must broadcast Remote ID information during flight. Remote ID transmits your drone's identity, location, altitude, velocity, and the control station location. Most drones manufactured after September 2022 have Standard Remote ID built in. Older drones need a Remote ID broadcast module attached externally. The only exception: flying inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA), which are designated indoor or enclosed spaces.

Pilot certification

The certification path depends on whether you fly for fun or for money:

The TRUST test is a short online knowledge check that takes about 30 minutes. It covers basic airspace rules, safety procedures, and your legal obligations. Once you pass, you keep the certificate permanently.

The Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate requires passing a 60-question knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center. The test covers airspace classification, weather, regulations, and flight operations. For a complete walkthrough, see our Part 107 license guide.

Operational rules that apply to everyone

• 400-foot altitude ceiling: Drones must stay below 400 feet AGL unless flying within 400 feet of a structure (the structure exception).
• Visual line of sight (VLOS): The pilot or a visual observer must maintain direct visual contact with the drone at all times. No FPV-only flying without a spotter.
• No flying over people: Part 107 allows flying over people only with drones that meet specific impact energy thresholds (Categories 1-4). Recreational pilots cannot fly directly over uninvolved people.
• Night flying: Permitted for both recreational and Part 107 pilots with anti-collision lights visible for 3 statute miles.
• Controlled airspace: LAANC authorization or an FAA DroneZone waiver is required before flying in Class B, C, D, or surface-level Class E airspace near airports.
• No flying under the influence: Operating a drone while impaired by drugs or alcohol is a federal violation.

The FAA's enforcement posture shifted dramatically in early 2026. A new enforcement order made legal action (fines, certificate suspensions, or revocations) the default response when drone operations endanger the public, violate airspace restrictions, or involve criminal activity. The previous approach of issuing warning letters or counseling sessions is no longer standard practice.

Civil penalty structure

Real enforcement cases from 2025

The FAA published its enforcement results for the first time in February 2026, naming specific operators and violations. Here are the most notable cases:

• $36,770: Operating a drone near emergency response aircraft during a wildfire (April 2023). This was the largest single fine in the batch.
• $20,371: Flying in restricted airspace near Mar-a-Lago (January 2025). Presidential TFR violation.
• $20,370: Operating over people at Sunfest Music Festival in West Palm Beach. The drone struck a tree during the violation.
• $14,790: Flying near State Farm Stadium during the Super Bowl (February 2023). Stadium TFR violation.

Part 107 certificate actions

Beyond fines, the FAA suspended or revoked eight Part 107 certificates in 2025. One pilot lost their certificate after their drone became entangled with a paraglider, forcing an emergency landing. Certificate revocation ends your ability to fly commercially in the US. Reinstatement requires waiting a specified period and retaking the knowledge test.

State-level penalties

Federal fines are only part of the picture. Many states have their own penalty structures:

• Texas: Up to $10,000 per image for distributing surveillance photos taken by drone (Gov't Code 423)
• Arizona: Felony on first offense for flying over critical infrastructure (ARS 13-3729)
• California: Up to $5,000 fine and 6 months jail for interfering with emergency operations (Penal Code 402)
• New York City: $250 to $1,000 fine plus drone seizure for violating the city's no-fly ordinance
• Louisiana: Sex offender registration for drone voyeurism convictions

For state-specific penalty details, see the individual state law guides linked in the section below.

Every state adds its own drone regulations on top of the federal FAA framework. Some states focus on privacy (Texas, California, Florida). Others restrict flights over critical infrastructure (Arizona, Ohio, Illinois). A few states preempt local governments from creating their own drone ordinances, while others allow cities and counties to pass additional rules. The table below links to our detailed guide for each state, covering state-specific statutes, penalties, park rules, and local considerations.

The FAA splits drone pilots into two categories with different rules, and the line between them matters more than most people realize.

Recreational pilots

Recreational flying means operating a drone purely for personal enjoyment, not for any business purpose. The rules for recreational pilots include:

• Pass the TRUST test (free, online, one-time)
• Register drones over 250g ($5 for 3 years, covers all your drones)
• Fly below 400 feet AGL in Class G airspace
• Get LAANC authorization in controlled airspace
• Maintain visual line of sight at all times
• Never fly over people, moving vehicles, or near emergency response
• Follow community-based organization (CBO) safety guidelines if flying at a club field

The critical distinction: the moment you post a drone video to a monetized YouTube channel, sell a photo, or use footage for any business purpose, you are no longer a recreational pilot. Even if you did not intend to make money when you took off, using the footage commercially retroactively changes your legal status.

Part 107 commercial pilots

Any drone operation for business, government, or organizational purposes requires a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. This includes real estate photography, construction site surveys, agriculture, film production, roof inspections, and any other commercial application. Part 107 rules give you more operational flexibility than recreational rules:

• Flying over people (with Category 1-4 compliant drones)
• Flying from a moving vehicle (in sparsely populated areas)
• Operating multiple drones simultaneously (with a waiver)
• Flying beyond visual line of sight (with a waiver)

Part 107 pilots can also request waivers for operations that fall outside standard rules. The waiver process requires a detailed safety case and typically takes weeks to months for approval.

Where to fly: airspace and no-fly zones

Both recreational and commercial pilots must check airspace before every flight. The key tools are the FAA B4UFLY app and the Aloft app (which also handles LAANC authorization). For a complete breakdown of airspace classes, restricted zones, TFRs, and authorization procedures, see our drone no-fly zones guide and where can you fly a drone guide.

Insurance considerations

The FAA does not require drone insurance for recreational pilots. For commercial operators, insurance is not federally mandated but is practically essential. Most clients and property owners require proof of liability coverage before approving a commercial drone operation. Typical coverage costs $500 to $1,500 per year for $1 million in liability. For details, see our drone insurance cost guide.

The regulatory landscape has shifted significantly in the past year, and more changes are on the horizon.

Remote ID enforcement is now real

The FAA's discretionary enforcement period for Remote ID ended in late 2024. Pilots caught flying without Remote ID face the same enforcement pipeline as any other airspace violation. If your drone was manufactured before September 2022 and does not have built-in Remote ID, you need an external broadcast module. The FAA maintains a list of compliant modules and drones on their Remote ID page.

FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024

The FAA Reauthorization Act, signed into law in 2024, made several significant changes to US drone law:

• Maximum civil penalty increased to $75,000 per violation (previously capped lower under standard FAA penalty schedules)
• Counter-UAS authorities expanded for federal agencies protecting critical infrastructure and large events
• BVLOS rulemaking directed: Congress instructed the FAA to finalize rules for beyond visual line of sight operations, which would unlock commercial delivery and long-range inspection
• Recreational safety review: The Act mandated review of recreational pilot safety guidelines and CBO structures

BVLOS: the next major rule change

Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations are the biggest pending change in US drone law. Currently, flying beyond what you can see with your eyes requires either a spotter chain or an FAA waiver. The FAA is developing a final rule that would allow routine BVLOS flight for qualified operators with appropriate detect-and-avoid technology. This would transform commercial drone delivery (Amazon, Wing, Zipline), long-range infrastructure inspection, and agricultural operations.

State law trends to watch

Several state-level trends are reshaping the regulatory environment:

• Counter-drone legislation: Louisiana became the first state to authorize counter-UAS technology. Michigan's SHIELD package (15 bills) addresses drone threats to critical infrastructure. More states are following.
• Privacy law expansion: States continue to pass drone-specific privacy statutes. The trend is toward criminal penalties for surveillance, not just civil liability.
• Preemption battles: Some states (Texas, Florida) preempt local drone ordinances. Others (Colorado, New York) allow cities to pass their own rules. The lack of a uniform approach means the patchwork will continue.
• Commercial licensing: Minnesota requires a $30/year state commercial drone license through MnDOT. Washington charges $15/year through WSDOT. More states are considering their own commercial registration or licensing programs.