US drone rules: registration, TRUST and the Part 107 line

US drone law asks one question before any other: why are you flying? The answer splits you into one of two systems. Flying "purely for fun" falls under a congressional exception with its own simple rules. Anything else — and the FAA's own examples include taking photos to help sell a property or service, roof inspections, and photos taken for someone's website — is a commercial operation under Part 107, with a knowledge test and TSA vetting. The weight of the drone decides only part of the paperwork.

Registration: the 0.55 lb line

All drones must be registered in the FAA's FAADroneZone system, except drones weighing 0.55 lb (250g) or less flown exclusively under the recreational exception. Key points from the FAA's registration guidance:

• Registration costs $5 per drone and is valid for three years.
• You must be 13 or older to register; the certificate must be available to the pilot during flight.
• The registration number goes on the outside surface of the aircraft.
• Only US citizens and lawful permanent residents get a standard registration — foreign nationals receive a "recognition of ownership" instead (see the tourist guide).

Note the trap: a sub-250g drone needs no registration only if it stays recreational. Fly the same drone for any Part 107 purpose and it must be registered — the weight exemption does not cross the line with you.

Recreational flying: TRUST + the safety rules

Every recreational flyer must pass TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) — a free online test. You carry proof of completion when you fly. On top of that, the FAA's recreational rules require:

• Keeping the drone within visual line of sight.
• Giving way to all crewed aircraft.
• Staying at or below 400 ft in uncontrolled Class G airspace.
• Prior airspace authorization (LAANC or FAADroneZone) to fly in controlled airspace — Classes B, C, D and surface E.

Night flying is allowed for recreational flyers who have passed TRUST and use anti-collision lighting. Flying within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) — typically organized model-aircraft fields — exempts you from Remote ID.

Remote ID

Since September 16, 2023, drones that must be registered — or are registered — must broadcast Remote ID: a radio identification signal with the drone's position and the control-station location. Sub-250g recreational drones that never register stay outside this requirement; everything else needs a built-in module, an added module, or a FRIA to fly legally.

Part 107: when fun becomes work

Part 107 (14 CFR Part 107) covers all non-recreational purposes. Its headline requirements: a Remote Pilot Certificate obtained by passing an aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center, TSA security vetting, registration of the aircraft regardless of weight, and operational limits (including 400 ft and airspace authorization) with waivers available for specific restrictions. Pilots must be at least 16 for the certificate.

Visitors from outside the US

The FAA's international-operators guidance adds steps for foreign pilots: if your drone is registered abroad and broadcasts Remote ID, you must file a Notice of Identification through FAADroneZone before flying; if it is not foreign-registered or lacks Remote ID, you may fly only within a FRIA. The FAA does not recognize foreign remote pilot certificates — details in Can you fly a drone as a tourist?.

Related guides

• Can you fly a drone as a tourist?
• The sub-250g myth: what small drones still can't do
• Canada drone rules (if your trip crosses the border)