FAA Remote ID
Remote ID is the digital license plate for drones. All drones operated in U.S. airspace (with limited exceptions) must broadcast Remote ID data from takeoff to landing. This allows the FAA, law enforcement, and other authorized parties to identify drones and their operators in real time.
What Standard Remote ID Broadcasts
- The drone's unique identifier (serial number or session ID)
- The drone's real-time latitude, longitude, geometric altitude, and velocity
- The control station's latitude, longitude, and geometric altitude
- A time mark (UTC)
- An emergency status indicator
This data is broadcast wirelessly using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology and can be received by anyone with a compatible device within range.
How to Comply with Remote ID
| Compliance Method | Who It's For | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Remote ID drone | Operators with drones manufactured after 2022 with built-in Remote ID | Remote ID is built into the drone and activates automatically. Check the FAA Drone Zone's Accepted Declaration of Compliance list for your drone model. |
| Remote ID Broadcast Module | Operators with older drones that lack built-in Remote ID | Attach an FAA-accepted third-party broadcast module to the drone. The module broadcasts Remote ID data alongside the drone's flight. |
| FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Area) | Recreational flyers and model aircraft clubs | Fly within a FRIA - an FAA-approved area where drones without Remote ID may operate. FRIAs are typically at AMA club fields. Not applicable for most commercial Part 107 operations. |
Remote ID Failure During Flight
If Remote ID fails or malfunctions during a flight, the remote pilot in command must land as soon as practicable. You may not continue flying a Part 107 operation with a non-functioning Remote ID system.
Night Operations Under Part 107
Part 107 allows night operations without a waiver, subject to the following requirements:
Night Operations Requirements
- Anti-collision lighting: The drone must have anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles and capable of flashing.
- All other Part 107 rules still apply: Visual line of sight, weather minimums (3 SM, 500 ft below clouds, 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds), 400 ft AGL altitude limit, and Remote ID must all be maintained.
- Aeronautical decision-making: The RPIC must evaluate whether night operations are safe for the specific environment - lighting conditions, obstacle density, urban vs. rural setting, and equipment lighting capability.
What Counts as "Night"?
Under Part 107, "night" is the period between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight. Civil twilight occurs when the center of the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon - approximately 30 minutes after official sunset and 30 minutes before official sunrise. During civil twilight, anti-collision lighting is also required.
Check your local civil twilight times using the USNO website or an FAA-approved UAS app before planning twilight or night operations.
Anti-Collision Lighting Guidance
- Must be visible from at least 3 statute miles
- Must be capable of flashing (strobing)
- The FAA does not specify a required color
- Many drone operators use aftermarket strobe lights - verify that the specific light used meets the 3 SM visibility requirement
- Steady position lights (like navigation lights) do not substitute for anti-collision flashing lights
Operations Over People - Categories 1 Through 4
Part 107 prohibits flying directly over people unless you meet one of four category definitions. The category system determines what restrictions apply based on the drone's weight and construction, and what kind of declaration or certificate is required.
- Maximum takeoff weight of 0.55 lbs (250 grams)
- No exposed rotating parts that could lacerate human skin
- No FAA declaration required - just meet the weight and design criteria
- Drone must have an FAA-accepted declaration of compliance
- No exposed rotating parts that lacerate
- Impact force below 11 foot-pounds on impact
- No waiver needed - just the declaration
- FAA-accepted declaration of compliance required
- No exposed rotating parts that lacerate
- Impact force below 25 foot-pounds
- Cannot fly over open-air assemblies of people
- Must fly over controlled or restricted access areas
- Drone must have an FAA airworthiness certificate
- Must be operated in accordance with the FAA-approved flight manual
- Most restrictive - applies to large commercial UAS
Operations Over Open-Air Assemblies
An "open-air assembly" is a gathering of people who are not involved in or participants of the UAS operation. Category 1 and 2 drones may fly over open-air assemblies. Category 3 may not. The distinction between "participating" and "non-participating" people is a common exam topic - if a bystander has not acknowledged and accepted the risk of the operation, they are considered non-participating.
Operations Over Moving Vehicles
Part 107 restricts flying over moving vehicles on public roadways in non-participating areas. The rules are similar to operations over people:
- Not allowed to fly directly over moving vehicles on public roads in non-participating areas unless the drone meets Category 1 or 2 criteria.
- Roads that are closed to non-participating traffic (e.g., a closed race track, a blocked-off road for a film shoot) are not subject to the same restriction.
- Highway, road, or parking lot: Determine whether traffic is restricted to participants only. If not, treat passing vehicles as non-participating people and apply the category rules.
- The key exam question: Is the vehicle or its occupants a "participant" in the UAS operation? If yes, the restrictions may not apply. If no, the Category 1/2/3 system applies.
Drone Registration and Labeling
Registration is required for any drone that weighs more than 0.55 lbs (250 grams) at takeoff. Registration is separate from your Remote Pilot Certificate.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who must register | Any operator whose drone weighs more than 0.55 lbs (250g) at takeoff |
| Where to register | FAA DroneZone at faadronezone.faa.gov |
| Cost | $5 per registration (valid for 3 years) |
| Labeling | Registration number must be displayed on the drone where it is legible and accessible |
| Part 107 operators | Can register all drones under a single Part 107 registration (one $5 fee covers the fleet) |
| Recreational operators | Must register each drone individually if it weighs more than 0.55 lbs |
Part 107 Waivers
Part 107 allows the FAA to grant waivers for certain rules when an applicant demonstrates the proposed operation can be conducted safely. Common waivable rules include:
- Operations from a moving vehicle or aircraft (Section 107.25)
- Operations at night (no longer needed as of April 2021)
- Operations in excess of 400 ft AGL (beyond structure exception)
- Operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) (Section 107.31)
- Operations over moving vehicles in non-participating areas (Section 107.145)
Waiver applications are submitted through the FAA DroneZone portal and may take weeks to months to process depending on complexity. BVLOS waivers in particular require extensive safety documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did FAA Remote ID become required?
September 16, 2023. All drone operations in the U.S. (with limited exceptions like FRIAs) must comply with Remote ID requirements.
What does Remote ID broadcast?
The drone's identifier, real-time GPS position and altitude, velocity, the control station's GPS position, a time mark, and an emergency status - all broadcast via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Can I fly a drone at night under Part 107?
Yes - no waiver needed (as of April 2021). The drone must have anti-collision lighting visible at 3 statute miles with flashing capability, and all other Part 107 rules apply.
What lighting is required for night drone flight?
Anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles that is capable of flashing. The FAA does not specify a color requirement.
What is Category 1 operations over people?
Category 1 allows flight over people if the drone weighs 0.55 lbs (250g) or less at takeoff and has no exposed rotating parts that can lacerate human skin. No FAA declaration is needed - the drone just has to meet those criteria.
What if Remote ID fails mid-flight?
Land as soon as practicable. You cannot continue a Part 107 operation with a non-functioning Remote ID system.
Do I need a separate registration for each drone?
Under Part 107, you can cover all your drones under a single registration ($5, valid 3 years). Each drone must display the registration number. Recreational flyers must register each drone over 0.55 lbs separately.
More Part 107 Study Resources
Disclaimer: Launch107 is an independent study resource, not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. FAA rules change over time. Always verify current Remote ID, night operations, and operations over people requirements at FAA.gov/uas before flying commercially.