We’ve just renewed our CAA permissions for the 10th consecutive year — and that matters more than ever, because the UK’s drone rules changed on 1 January 2026 in ways that affect every drone user: hobbyists, in-house “someone’s got a drone” teams, and fully certified commercial operators.
These changes are designed to make drone flying safer, more accountable, and easier to enforce — but they also introduce new requirements (and new failure points) that customers should understand before they commission aerial work on a live site, near people, near sensitive infrastructure, or anywhere with complex airspace.
Below is a practical, customer-focused breakdown of what changed, what it means in the real world, and why hiring a properly certified operator reduces risk to your project, your brand, and your legal exposure.
The big picture: what happened on 1 January 2026?
From 1 January 2026, the CAA introduced a set of updates that affect:
- How drones are classified (new UK class marks)
- Who must pass the theory test (Flyer ID threshold changed)
- Who must register (Operator ID requirements clarified/expanded)
- How drones identify themselves (Remote ID phased in)
- Night flying visibility (green flashing light requirement)
- How “Open Category” flying is described and applied (sub-categories framed around proximity to people)
These updates are reflected in the CAA’s Drone and Model Aircraft Code (January 2026) and supporting CAA guidance.
1) UK “class marks” are now a core part of the rules
Any new model of drone placed on the UK market from 1 January 2026 must have a UK class mark (UK0 to UK6).
What that means:
- The class mark links the aircraft to defined technical/safety requirements.
- It also helps determine which operational category/sub-category you can fly in and what you must do to be legal.
The CAA’s class-mark mapping (simplified):
- UK0 / UK1 → Open Over People (A1) (with conditions)
- UK2 → Open Near People (A2) if you have the additional certificate (or Open A3 with greater separation)
- UK3 / UK4 → Open Far From People (A3)
- UK5 / UK6 → Specific Category (CAA authorisation required)
Important transitional detail: European “C-class” drones
If a drone has a European C class mark, the UK allows it to be flown as the corresponding UK class until 31 December 2027.
Why customers should care
A supplier turning up with “a drone” is no longer a meaningful assurance. You want to know:
- Is it class-marked or a legacy aircraft?
- Which category is the operation being conducted under?
- Does the pilot/operator have the right competence and authorisations for that category?
2) The “Open Category” is framed around people: A1 / A2 / A3
The Drone Code now clearly presents Open Category sub-categories as:
- Over People (A1)
- Near People (A2)
- Far From People (A3)
And it sets out separation rules in plain language (e.g., A2 includes a 30m rule that can reduce to 5m in low-speed mode, plus “no flight over uninvolved people”).
A2 CofC wording change
The A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) still exists, but from 1 January 2026 it is tied to the Near People (A2) sub-category naming.
Why customers should care
Most commercial work (construction progress, façade inspections, roof surveys, infrastructure, urban property marketing) happens near people, buildings, roads, and active sites. The operational category you fly under affects:
- Where the drone can legally operate
- The standoff distances required
- Whether additional approvals and mitigations are needed
A professional operator should be able to explain this clearly and evidence compliance in writing.
3) Flyer ID threshold changed: more people must pass the test
From 1 January 2026, drone users must take the CAA’s theory test to obtain a Flyer ID if the drone weighs over 100g (previously 250g).
The Drone Code also summarises registration requirements by weight/class and whether the aircraft has a camera.
Why customers should care
If you hire someone who hasn’t met the basic competence requirement (or is out of date), you can end up with:
- An illegal flight (project risk + reputational risk)
- Invalid/unenforceable insurance situations (depending on policy conditions)
- Work that can’t be repeated (because permissions or planning were wrong)
4) Operator ID remains essential — and the operator has explicit responsibilities
The Operator ID is held by the person/organisation responsible for managing the aircraft (maintenance, oversight, ensuring pilots are appropriately qualified).
The Drone Code also makes a critical point for organisations: if the operator allows someone to fly without the right competence, the operator may be liable to prosecution.
Why customers should care
When you hire a drone services provider, you’re not just hiring “a pilot.” You’re hiring an operator system:
- maintenance and firmware discipline
- defined procedures
- competence tracking
- accountability
That’s what you want when the work is happening above people’s property, near highways, or on a multi-contractor site.
5) Remote ID has arrived — with a phased compliance deadline
Remote ID is effectively a digital identification broadcast from the aircraft while it’s flying.
In the Drone Code, the CAA states that when flying certain class-marked drones (UK1, UK2, UK3), the operator must have Remote ID switched on, and it explains that Remote ID transmits the drone/model aircraft identity and location information.
The CAA’s Remote ID guidance confirms this is phased:
- Some operations require Remote ID from 1 January 2026
- A broader requirement applies by 1 January 2028, with the CAA noting that from 1 January 2028 Remote ID must be used for all drone/model aircraft operations unless an exemption applies.
Why customers should care
Remote ID increases transparency and enforcement capability. For customers, the practical implications are:
- Non-compliant operators are easier to identify/report (and you don’t want your project associated with non-compliance)
- Sensitive sites (critical infrastructure, high-security locations) will have a lower tolerance for “informal” drone activity
- Professional operators should already have a process for Remote ID configuration, verification, and record-keeping
6) Night flying now requires a flashing green light
If a drone is flown at night, it must have a flashing green light turned on (or a suitable add-on light securely fitted). The Drone Code also notes the add-on light weight counts toward the aircraft’s overall weight — which can change which rules apply.
Why customers should care
If you’re commissioning:
- winter progress monitoring,
- emergency response imagery,
- night-time asset checks,
…you want an operator who understands not only the flight task but how seemingly small changes (like a light) can alter compliance requirements.
7) Commercial work still requires appropriate insurance — by law
The CAA’s guidance is unambiguous: if you fly for any commercial reason, you must have third-party insurance as a minimum (including paid photography/video and paid surveys).
Why customers should care
If someone is operating commercially without compliant insurance, the risk doesn’t stop with them. If something goes wrong (injury, property damage, traffic incident, site shutdown), you can face:
- project delays and dispute risk,
- reputational damage,
- questions about contractor due diligence.
A professional operator should be able to provide proof of insurance and explain their operating limitations.
8) “Fully certified commercial operator” in 2026: what you should look for
A lot of people use the phrase “commercial drone pilot.” In 2026, customers should think in terms of: competence + authorisation + system + insurance + documentation.
Here’s a practical checklist you can use when hiring:
Ask for evidence of:
- Operator ID and Flyer ID (and confirmation they are current)
- The correct operating category:
- Open A1/A2/A3 understanding and suitability, or
- Specific Category authorisation if the job requires it (common for built-up areas and complex operations)
- Remote ID compliance process (especially from 2026 onward for relevant class-marked operations, and ahead of the 2028 deadline)
- Insurance certificate meeting CAA commercial requirements
- Job paperwork:
- written risk assessment / method statement
- site plan and take-off/landing controls
- airspace checks and any required permissions
- flight logs and incident reporting awareness
For higher-risk work (common in B2B):
If the work goes beyond basic Open Category constraints, the CAA’s Specific Category exists for more complex operations.
And for common operational frameworks like PDRA01, the CAA specifies remote pilot requirements such as holding a valid Flyer ID and an appropriate remote pilot certificate or GVC.
The bottom line: why these 2026 changes increase the value of hiring properly
The 2026 rules are not “admin.” They increase:
- Traceability (Remote ID)
- Standardisation (class marks)
- Accountability (operator responsibility for pilot competence)
- Operational clarity (Over/Near/Far from People framework)
- Visibility requirements at night (green flashing light)
- Scope of who must be trained/registered (100g threshold)
For customers, the risk of hiring an uncertified or poorly governed operator isn’t just “a fine.” It can be:
- invalidated deliverables (flight had to be stopped / footage unusable / operation unsafe)
- site disruption
- reputational harm
- insurance and liability exposure
- enforcement action that becomes part of your project story
A professional, fully compliant drone services company doesn’t just “fly a drone.” We bring a system that makes your flight legal, insurable, repeatable, and defensible — which is exactly what you want when the stakes are real.
2 Norton Drive, Wythall, Birmingham, B47 6HH Company registration number: 11138586. VAT Number: 366 9068 55 
