Drone Laws Delaware (How to Register and What are the Rules)

Drone laws Delaware are highly regulated. Anyone who owns a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) must adhere to federal and state regulations to legally operate their device within the state of Delaware.

Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many aspiring pilots obtaining permits from the FAA to fly their devices for recreation and work purposes only.

Before using a drone to capture aerial footage you need to understand the drone laws in Delaware. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has put in place several rules and regulations regarding the use of drones and flying model aircraft within state borders.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced new regulations for the use of drones. As for drone laws in Delaware and most states across the country, there isn’t much regulation at the moment.

Drone Laws In Delaware Are Similar To Other States

Drone laws in Delaware are very similar to other states, so you can expect some basic guidelines to apply. You’ll have to register your drone with the FAA, and you won’t be allowed to fly it in certain sensitive zones (near airports, for example).

Unmanned Aircrafts Are Not Permitted To Fly Over People

Drone pilots are prohibited from flying over people or large groups of people. This is a state law, and not a specific FAA regulation that one must comply with when operating an unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

 There’s no specific penalty for flying over people in Delaware, but the consequences will be more extreme if you injure someone, which could lead to both fines and prison time.

The law doesn’t clarify what constitutes “over” people (or large groups of people), but the safest option is to stay at least several feet away from anyone.

Unmanned Aircrafts Must Be Registered Through The Faa

If you’ve got a drone that weighs more than 8.8 oz, then you’ll need to register with the FAA. This will cost you $5, and registration is good for three years.

To register your drone, the FAA recommends that you visit faadronezone.faa.gov where you’ll need to provide a method of payment (credit card) and log in or create an account with your name, physical address, and email address. You’ll also need to be at least 13 years old to register

Drones Are Expected To Be Unmanned While Flying

The state laws in Delaware concerning drones are pretty similar to those of other states. By law, drones are expected to be completely unmanned while flying.

Unmanned Aircrafts Are Not Permitted To Fly Over People or large groups of people, in order to prevent any injury from falling parts or loss of control.

Drone Rules In Delaware Seem To Be Practical

Delaware drones are subject to similar rules as the nation’s other 49 states, but the state has implemented some safeguards to ensure public safety.

You must be at least 13 years old to fly a drone in Delaware, and you must register your drone with the FAA in order to operate it legally. Furthermore, all drone pilots in Delaware should familiarize themselves with the FAA’s Drone Zone website.

There are a few basic rules that apply everywhere in Delaware:

• Stay below 400 feet above ground level (AGL) when taking off or landing
• Never fly near manned aircraft
• Keep your drone line of sight at all times (you may use binoculars or FPV goggles for this)

Are Drones Allowed In Delaware?

Laws Governing Drones

Laws Governing Drones and how they’re used are constantly being challenged in courts across the country. In some places, laws have been overturned—meaning that what was once legal might now be illegal, and vice versa.

If you hope to bring your drone on a trip or use it while traveling locally, make sure you check the current restrictions where you plan to fly.

Regulations Governing The Operation Of Drones

According to the Delaware Drone Act, “drone” is defined as an unmanned aircraft (including any model aircraft) that is operated remotely or autonomously.

The law states that a drone operator must have a valid certificate of registration issued by the FAA and must ensure that the drone being operated has an effective label with the operator’s unique identifier; when operating a drone, all operators must carry proof of such registration.

Operators who fail to comply with these mandates are subject to civil penalties up to $200 per violation. To obtain FAA certification, applicants must be at least 16 years of age and also pass an aeronautical knowledge test at one of 700 approved testing centers in Delaware.

New Castle County Prohibits The Use Of Drones

When you’re ready to take your drone up, it’s important to know the laws of where you live. In New Castle County, drones are not allowed in county parks without permission. The city of Wilmington has also banned drones flying over a crowd of people.

Other than that, drones can be flown in most public areas. However, since 2016, drones have been prohibited from flying above national parks and military bases such as Dover Air Force Base.

The FAA also restricts drone flights to within 400 feet above ground level and requires that they remain within the pilot’s line of sight at all times.

If flying your drone in Delaware state or federal parks make sure to heed these restrictions; otherwise, you might end up having a very bad time with local law enforcement due to an ignorance infraction incident!

Federal Laws Require Drone Operators To Fly Safely And Responsibly

Under FAA regulations, drones can be flown recreationally as long as the drone or UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) is operated below 400 feet, within sight at all times of the operator and not over a crowd of people.

It is also illegal to fly a drone in an area where it could interfere with emergency responders. These rules apply to recreational and commercial use of drones. For any kind of drone operation, you should avoid flying your drone near airports and planes.

The FAA has no requirement for a specific type of training for operating a drone. However, if you plan on using your drone for commercial purposes (work, business), you must obtain an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate by passing an aeronautical knowledge test at one of 690 FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Centers located throughout the United States.

You must be 16 years old to receive this certificate; there are no age requirements if your drone will be used only for recreational purposes.

Drones May Not Be Flown At An Altitude Above 400 Feet.

• Drones May Not Be Flown At An Altitude Above 400 Feet.
• Drones must always be operated (in the line of sight) by a person who is 16 years old or older.
• Drones may not travel faster than 100 miles per hour.
• Drones must always remain within visual range of the operator and nearby observers.
• You must only fly your drone during daylight hours or in twilight (30 minutes before sunrise or after sunset) with appropriate anti-collision lighting.
• Your drone must yield to all manned aircraft. If you see a plane, helicopter, or other manned aircraft while flying your drone, immediately stop flying and land the drone on the ground if safe to do so. If there is an emergency affecting manned aircraft that requires immediate action, you should land your drone as soon as safely possible.

Be Sure To Check The Laws In Your Area Before Flying A Drone.

As with many areas, the laws regarding drone use vary from one municipality to another. So before you fly your drone in Delaware, be sure to check and make sure it’s legal in the area of the state where you’ll be operating.

This is important because it’s your responsibility as the operator to know if flying is legal or not. It’s not enough to simply assume that you can fly wherever and whenever you want because it’s your property or because it will only be for a minute.

If you don’t have permission from the land owner and/or your flight does not fall within one of the permissible categories identified by law, then flying could result in fines or worse—especially if someone else reports your activity.

How To Register Drone In Delaware

Where To Register A Drone In Delaware

To register your drone, you can either do it online or by mail. If you prefer to do it in person, contact your local office of the Division of Motor Vehicles to make an appointment. Here’s how to register your drone online or by mail:

How To Register A Drone In Delaware

• Visit the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles website.
• Enter your name, address, email and other personal details (they are requesting a lot of information).
• Upload a photo of your drone. Try to get an angle where the whole drone can be seen and there is nothing blocking the view.
• Pay $7 online through the website
• Submit application

What Is The Cost Of Registering A Drone With The State Of Delaware?

To register your drone with the State of Delaware, you must pay a $20 registration fee for a two-year registration, or $30 for a three-year registration, or $40 for a four-year registration, or $50 for a five-year registration. Registration fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

The state will not prorate fees if you sell or dispose of your drone before the end of your registration period.

Who Needs To Register Their Drone In Delaware?

You must register your drone if you fly for enjoyment. You do not need to register if you fly to make money as a commercial drone pilot.

If you are flying a drone that weighs over 0.55 pounds, it must be registered with the FAA and have an identification number affixed to it. Without this number, the FAA will ground you and your drone until registration is complete.

What Do You Need To Register Your Drone?

What Do You Need To Register Your Drone?

If you want to learn how to register a drone in Delaware, then you’ll need the following:

• Be at least 13 years old
• Provide first name, last name, mailing address and email address
• Pay a $5 registration fee for three years with a credit or debit card

Anyone who flies an unmanned aircraft that weighs more than 0.55 pounds must register their drones. It’s not just commercial pilots who have to register drones either — hobbyists and recreational users also must register their drones

Does Your Drone Need To Be Registered For Commercial Or Non-commercial Use?

Not all drones need to be registered. In Delaware, if you intend to operate your drone for commercial uses, it must be registered. If you are operating the drone strictly for recreational purposes, then it does not need to be registered.

What is considered a commercial use of a drone? All uses of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that is not operated strictly for hobby or recreational activities and all UAS operations that involve any type of compensation or payment (regardless of whether the aircraft is owned, leased or contracted) are considered commercial flying and require certification by the FAA under Part 107.

If you are unsure whether your use constitutes commercial or noncommercial operation, we recommend registering with the FAA. Registration will help ensure compliance with state law and provide additional protections in the event that your drone becomes lost or stolen.

Drones Have To Be Registered

You register your drone online with the FAA. You must be at least 13 years old to register a drone. You’ll need to provide your name and mailing address, as well as the make, model, and serial number of your aircraft. The registration fee is $5 for one year or $10 for three.

Conclusion

Whether for pure leisure, or for practical purposes, drones are a growing pastime. Once you invest in a drone, you’ll want to make sure that your laws permit the use of the latest and greatest technologies. If you live in Delaware, below are some queries about drone laws in this state.

Frequently Asked Questions (drone Laws Delaware)

What Are The Laws Regarding Drones In Delaware?

For those who have never been to Delaware, it’s safe to say that it’s a great place to fly a drone. The state has no laws against flying drones, so you are free to enjoy your hobby or commercial activity with no restrictions.

If you are just getting started with drones in Delaware, we recommend checking out some of the videos on our YouTube channel. We will be sure to provide helpful tips on how to begin flying safely and responsibly!

When Can I Fly My Drone In Delaware?

You can fly your drone at any time. The only time you cannot fly a drone is when you are standing in the middle of an active runway or helipad, and even then there are exceptions. You also cannot operate a drone if it has been classified as an “aircraft” by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Drones are not allowed to be flown higher than 400 feet above ground level (AGL), but this restriction only applies above stadiums with more than 30,000 seats or within 3 miles of an airport.

Drones can be flown over any other place within Delaware without restriction, so long as they remain below 400 feet AGL and do not interfere with manned aircrafts’ operations.

Where Can I Fly My Drone In Delaware?

You are allowed to fly your drone in the air, on land, and over private property. You may not fly it over public property or in a city. You also cannot take off or land in a park, field, forest or waterway.

Do I Need Insurance To Fly A Drone In Delaware?

Yes, you need insurance to fly a drone in Delaware. Insurance is required by law in this state: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all drones weighing between 0.55 pounds and 55 pounds have an insurance policy that covers damage to property, injury or death caused by your drone to other people or animals, and any damage done to your own property as a result of flying a drone.

Your liability insurance must also cover any claims made against you for property damage resulting from your use of drones.