With drones becoming increasingly common, you’re likely to see more of them where you live and work. They’re now used for jobs, such as inspecting railway lines and buildings, as well as being flown for fun.
Where drones are allowed to fly
People are allowed to fly small drones that weigh under 250g in most places, including towns and cities, but not over crowds. There are more restrictions for heavier drones.
Many professional drone users and serious enthusiasts get further authorisations to carry out further flying activities (known as operations).
If the person doing the flying is standing on private property, they must have permission from the property owner to be there.
There’s more information on where you can fly in the Drone and Model Aircraft Code.
Respecting your privacy
Drones users must always respect your privacy and not cause a nuisance.
They must comply with the same privacy regulations as anyone who uses a camera or recording device. For example, anyone that uses a camera or a mobile phone with a camera.
Read more information on protecting people’s privacy when flying drones.
Reporting illegal or dangerous flying to the police
Without authorisation, it is illegal to fly:
- very close to prisons
- very close to airports
- over large crowds, such as an outdoor concert
- very close to hospital helicopter landing sites
- very close to airshows or air displays
- higher than 120m (400ft)
- in controlled or restricted airspace
Call your local police on 101 if you see a drone doing any of these.
Call 999 if there is an immediate danger to life or threat of violence.
Serious incidents, near misses and other occurrences
If you’ve seen or been involved in a safety-related incident or near miss involving a drone or other unmanned aircraft, you must report it.
Full details on what to report and who to report to are in our information on UAS occurrence reporting.