The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made it mandatory that all drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds must be registered in the United States, so if you own one, you need to follow this rule or risk getting slapped with hefty fines or even criminal charges. Here’s what you need to know about this new legislation, plus how to register your drone properly.
In December 2015, the FAA announced new rules regarding the registration of drones weighing between 0.55 and 55 pounds. Before you take off and fly, it’s important to know if your drone needs to be registered or not, and what it needs to be registered as. Here’s everything you need to know about drone registration, including whether you have to register at all and what information is needed when registering your drone.
You’ve probably heard that starting January 1, 2016, all drones flying in the United States need to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). But what does that really mean? And more importantly, how can you make sure your drone gets registered – and stays registered – without breaking the bank? In this article, we’ll break down what drones need to be registered and offer some tips on how to get it done.
5 Reasons Why You Need to Register Your Drone
If you recently purchased a drone, or you’re looking to purchase one soon, it’s important to be aware of the current laws and regulations surrounding drone ownership and use. In case you’re not familiar with them, here are five reasons why drones need to be registered in most states before they can be used legally.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires drones to be registered to start on December 21, 2016. A failure to do so by February 19, 2017, could result in civil penalties of up to $27,500, criminal penalties of up to $250,000, and/or imprisonment of up to three years. Yikes! But why? What does this mean for you? And what’s actually required when registering your drone?
When you buy your first drone, you may feel like it’s not necessary to register it with the FAA as long as you don’t fly above 400 feet or near airports. The truth is that you need to register your drone right away, and here are five reasons why this applies to you. If you want to learn more about drones and how they can be helpful to your business, check out our article on the top uses of drones in business.
1) There are serious legal consequences for those who don’t register
Not registering your drone can result in some serious legal consequences. If you are caught flying your drone without being registered, you could be fined up to $27,500. That’s a pretty hefty price to pay for not following the law! Drones that are not registered have no excuse. In fact, there’s an app that makes it easy and even fun! Take a look at this checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need before you register.
2) Not registering makes it harder to sell your drone
Not registering your drone can make it difficult to sell, as potential buyers will want to know that the drone is legal. Additionally, if you are caught flying a drone without registration, you could face fines or other penalties. There’s no reason not to register your drone since it’s easy and only takes a few minutes. In order to operate a drone, it must be registered with the FAA if it weighs less than 55 pounds. What’s even better? There is no charge for registration! Creating an account (or using an existing one) is as simple as visiting the FAA website. Click on Register A Drone on the left-hand side of the screen once you are logged in. Fill out all required information including name, email address, serial number of your drone, etc., before selecting register my aircraft.
3) Registration is completely free
The process of registering a drone is quick and easy, and best of all, it’s completely free. All you need to do is provide some basic information about yourself and your drone, and you’ll be good to go. Registration is required for commercial drone operators: If you’re using your drone for business purposes or have made money with it in the past, registration is necessary. Registration requires an FAA registration number: Every UAS owner must have an FAA-issued registration number, which can only be obtained by completing an online application.
4) Registration can be done in minutes online
Drones are becoming increasingly popular, but did you know that they need to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration? Luckily, the process is quick and easy, and can be done entirely online. It only takes a few minutes, and only costs $5. A good time to register your drone is when you buy it, as some stores offer free registration if you make a purchase there. A registration number allows drones to fly safely: When drones are registered by their owners, they receive an identification number that helps ensure their safe flight in the sky.
5) Fines will increase in 2019
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires drones that weigh more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (25 kilograms) to be registered by December 21, 2015.
You must be 13 years or older to register and the registration is good for three years.
- Simple and quick, the process takes only a few minutes.
- In order to participate, you must provide your name, address, and e-mail address.
- Passwords and usernames must also be selected.
Conclusion
The FAA requires you to register a drone if you want to fly it for business purposes. In just a few minutes, you can complete the process. You’ll need to provide your contact information, the make and model of your drone, and prove that you’re aware of the rules and regulations for flying drones. Once you’ve registered, you’ll have no problems flying your drone. Some businesses have found themselves in trouble with the law because they didn’t know they needed to register their drones. Don’t let this happen to you! We hope this post helped answer some questions about what drones need to be registered and how easy it is!