Drone Laws Dubai [March 2023] [Rules & How to Register]

Drone Laws Dubai? That is a good question to ask. And certainly, for Dubai residents, you should know about drone rules Dubai. Because of its amazing buildings that mark the city’s skyline, tourist is occasionally scared to go there. This is because of the drones that give them an eerie feeling whenever they see a drone hovering.

Flying a drone in Dubai is only allowed over certain areas such as public beaches or parks. If you are not granted permission to fly over other locations, then you will be heavily fined or even imprisoned for flying within that airspace.

Many countries and people around the world have no idea that there are drone laws and rules. Sometimes, these laws and rules change in next to no time. This article will help you understand more on what you need to know when it comes to drones in Dubai.

To fly a drone in Dubai you must abide by the regulations under Federal Aviation Authority. Drone rules are constantly changing, so it’s important to keep up with new regulations on flying a drone in Dubai.

Know The Drone Laws In Dubai

Have you ever wanted to fly a drone in Dubai?

You’re in luck: drones are legal and fairly easy to use. But you need to register your drone with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

You’ll also need to follow all of their rules if you want to avoid legal trouble.

Let’s take a look at these laws and how they affect your ability to use drones in Dubai.

Do Not Fly Drones Within 5 Kilometers Of Any Airport

Within the UAE, drones are not allowed to fly within 5 kilometers of any airport. If your drone flies within this airspace, you will be fined 10,000 AED (approximately $2,723 USD).

In addition to the no-fly zone around airports, drones must fly under 400 feet (121 meters) and away from residential areas.

Violations of these rules can result in hefty fines. For example, if your drone flies at an altitude higher than 400 feet (121 meters), you will be charged 20,000 AED ($5446 USD) for the first violation. Each subsequent violation will cost 30% more than the prior one.

If you plan on visiting Dubai soon and wish to bring a drone along with you to capture some sights of this popular tourist spot from above, it’s important that you follow these rules so as not to put yourself in danger and endanger others around them or face significant financial consequences.

Do Not Fly Drones Within 50 Kilometers Of Any Border

Flying drones or UAVs within 50 kilometers (30 miles) of any border is strictly prohibited, as it will most likely result in the drone being shot down by anti-aircraft artillery.

These weapons are designed to take out airborne threats, and a drone that suddenly crosses into airspace near a country’s border will almost certainly be considered a threat and fired upon.

Additionally, even if your drone does not get shot down when it enters this restricted zone, there is still the possibility of injuring innocent people or damaging property on both sides of the border as your device loses power and falls to earth.

The potential consequences of these events could include serious diplomatic issues between countries, or even full-blown wars.

Do Not Fly Drones Over 400 Feet Off The Ground

• You should not fly your drone over 400 feet off the ground.
• Make sure not to fly too high, because it is dangerous to aircraft, which can cause fatal crashes.
• Keep your drone below 400 feet so that it doesn’t collide with people.

Do Not Fly Drones Near Government Or Military Facilities

Under no circumstances should you ever fly your drone near government or military facilities. This includes places like police stations and fire stations. You also should not fly your drone over embassies or consulates.

Do Not Fly Drones Over Congested Areas

For the safety of others, you need to make sure that you are not flying your drone over any congested areas or large crowds. Do not fly over any schools, shopping malls, beaches, parks, concerts, festivals or sporting events.

Do not fly near busy roads and interchanges as this could cause traffic jams and accidents if drivers try to stop to watch your drone. Please also do not fly over any roads at all when using your drone in Dubai!

Do Not Fly Drones Over Sports Stadiums

If you’re in the UAE and want to fly a drone, be sure to adhere to these guidelines:

• Don’t fly in crowded areas or over groups of people
• Avoid flying near airports and other controlled airspace
• Don’t take your drone within 5 kilometers of international borders or within 50 kilometers of military installations or sensitive national security areas.
• Keep your drone below 400 feet (120 meters) when flying. This is true everywhere, but especially important in Dubai since the city is home to many tall buildings.
• Don’t fly over stadiums during sporting events or half an hour before and after the event.

Stay Safe And Legal When You Fly A Drone

You want to fly a drone in Dubai. There are just a few rules and regulations you need to know first.

• Don’t fly over people
• Don’t fly in the dark
• Don’t fly near airports or aircrafts
• Don’t fly near government or military facilities
• Always keep your drone in sight, but don’t be afraid to go as high as 400 meters (1,300 feet), which is the maximum legal height for drones in Dubai.

How To Register Drone In Dubai

To Register The Drone

If you are a free zone company and want to register the drone in Dubai, the good news is that it is not a big task. There are many DJI stores where you can buy the drone and they will take care of all necessary import paperwork.

You need to apply for an import license with your free zone company which is actually very easy as long as you have all required registration documents. Once you get your import license then you can proceed with buying a registered drone.

The cost of the registered drone will be about AED 12000. In addition to this, if you want to use it for commercial purposes then their additional costs associated with it.

Drone Regulations In Dubai Aim To Help Protect The Public

The drone regulations in Dubai aim to help protect the public from potential damages and violations. It’s important to adhere to the following rules while operating drones in the city:

• Do not fly drones higher than 100 feet above ground level or closer than 5 kilometers from aerodromes.
• Do not fly drones closer than 50 meters from people, vehicles, buildings or structures without permission from authorities.
• Obtain a third-party insurance policy to cover any damage caused by the device while operating it in restricted airspace.

Drones Are Designed For Use Over Populated Areas

The drones, which are also known as UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), are specifically designed for use over populated areas, due to their speed and sharpness.

Drones are used primarily to take pictures or video from a high altitude. The drones, which can fit in your hand, have four rotors on top of them that cause it to rise like a small helicopter.

They have built-in cameras for taking pictures and videos, which are stored on an SD card inside the drone’s central body.

Drones can be dangerous if flown too close to people or property (they weigh less than two pounds but spin at speeds up to 4,000 rpm). For this reason, drone operators must register their devices with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) before flying them within city limits.

Regulations Issued By Dubai Civil Aviation Authority

Drones have become a popular hobby, but they should not be treated like toys. While drones can be used for recreational purposes, it’s important to follow rules and regulations in order to avoid accidents or injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is in charge of regulating the nation’s airspace, including drones. In keeping with FAA regulations, piloting drones over populated areas is strongly discouraged by DCAA—and doing so may result in severe penalties or even jail time.

Drones Cannot Be Flown Higher Than 100 Feet

It’s important to remember that drones can be hazardous to your health.

In 2015, an unnamed 71-year-old man in Dubai accidentally flew his drone a little too close to pedestrians and got it stuck on the roof of a high-rise building.

The man ignored calls from onlookers and government officials who tried to get him down, causing him to fall 10 meters onto the concrete sidewalk below—a fatal collision for this 71-year-old.

The same thing happened to another unnamed 29-year-old man in Dubai when he got his drone stuck on the roof of a high rise building one kilometer away from an airport. When onlookers called local police, they asked if they could help with getting the drone down safely—only for police to ignore their calls as well.

In response, some bystanders jumped up onto the rooftop themselves and took turns trying to push the drone off with sticks until it finally fell onto a nearby street where it was run over by a car before anyone could get close enough to stop it.

Rules State That Drones Cannot Be Flown Within 50 Meters Vehicles

In order to register the drone, free zone companies can apply for an import license. Meanwhile, foreign buyers can also buy online but they need to pay a fee.

The rules state that drones cannot be flown within 50 meters of people, vehicles, buildings or structures without permission from authorities.

Drone flying is not permitted over or within 5 kilometers of an airport, helicopter landing site, military base or other areas specified by the authorities.

Drone operators must also remain in direct line-of-sight with the unmanned aircraft at all times and ensure it does not fly higher than 400 feet above ground level.

The drones are specifically designed for use over populated areas, due to their speed and sharpness. The AeroViroment small tactical quad that was used for this test has a wing span of one meter (3ft) and is capable of speeds up to 200kmh (125mph).

Obtain A Third-party Insurance Policy

• Insurance is not required, but it should be considered. It will depend on where you are flying and how high up.
• You can get insurance from the FAA by contacting them at 1-800-FAA-GOV or www.faa.gov/uas.

If you don’t have insurance then make sure to be extra careful: don’t fly over people, don’t fly over property, etc.

Part 107 Of Federal Aviation Administration

In addition, drone users must have at least one person who has completed training under part 107 of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations with them at all times during operations.

Part 107 requires that you have received training in how to fly safely and legally. The FAA has a list of approved schools on its website where you can find one near you. You will need to pass an exam before operating your drone commercially or for any other purpose than recreational use.

Drones Are Tools Used For Taking Pictures Or Video

Drones are tools used for taking pictures or video from a high altitude, so flying them too close to people can be dangerous.

Don’t fly over crowds or any other area where there might be buildings nearby – this could cause injury! If you know how to operate your drone safely, then this is not a problem. However, if not – please read all instructions carefully before using one of these devices!

Are Drones Allowed In Dubai?

Flying A Drone In Dubai Is Subject To Uae

Flying a drone in Dubai is subject to UAE regulations. If you’re planning to fly one here, make sure you have permission from the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

If you’re caught flying without a permit, it could result in serious penalties, so be sure to follow the rules and refer to your airline for information on how to pack your drone.

Obtain Permission From The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority

If you want to fly a drone in Dubai, you’ll need to obtain permission from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and other government authorities.

In accordance with U.A.E regulations, drone operators are required to meet specific safety requirements, adhere to specific operational conditions, and complete the correct application process based on the type of operations they intend to conduct.

For some commercial operations at approved locations within Dubai, the DCAA will issue a permit that’s valid for up to 12 months, but more complex applications may take longer than 60 days.

Will Also Need To Apply For A Permit For Any Drone

If your drone weighs less than 250 grams, you will not need to apply for a permit, though you still must abide by the regulations explained below.

You will also need to apply for a permit for any drone that weighs between 250 grams and 25 kilograms, which includes many consumer-grade drones. If your drone weighs more than 25 kilograms, you will need to apply for a special permit.

Note that these rules specifically mention drones “for recreational purposes.” If you are in Dubai on business and plan on flying a drone in order to capture footage or images with it, even if your drone is less than 250 grams, you’ll have to contact the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of Dubai directly to obtain permission.

The same goes if you plan on using your drone commercially (for example, if you’re a wedding photographer).

Process Of Getting A Permit Can Take Several Days

Getting a permit can take several days, so you should apply early. The process is simple and straightforward. You will need to provide details of the drone, including model number and serial number, as well as your contact information and the date you would like to fly the drone.

Permit applications are subject to approval by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), so it’s important to ensure that your drone conforms to all regulations before applying for a permit.

Special permission is required for flights exceeding 400 feet in altitude and flights that require passing through restricted airspace over more densely populated areas such as airports, government buildings, power plants, etc..

More Information On The Dcaa Permit

The application process is complex, and it’s common for applications to be denied or take a long time to process. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you begin the application process several months before your trip. You can find the online application here.

If you don’t get permission or try to fly without a permit, you may be fined anywhere from AED 25,000 – 100,000 (approximately $7,000 – $27,000).

You Should Always Avoid Flying Them In Busy Or Urban Areas

You should never fly your drone close to airports or near groups of people. In Dubai, you should also avoid flying over crowded areas, busy roads, and military installations or other ‘sensitive’ areas.

Flying Drones In Dubai Is Possible

To fly a drone in Dubai, you will need to get permission from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). You can start the process by applying through their website.

If you’re flying a drone that weighs more than 250 grams, you will need to apply for more than one permit. While you can typically get approval in as little as two days, it’s best to start at least five days before your flight.

The GCAA also requires that drones remain within sight of the operator and stay below 400 feet throughout the flight. It is against the law to fly a drone within 5 kilometers of an airport or landing strip and within 50 meters of any building, vehicle or person.

Flying drones over densely populated areas such as beaches and parks is also prohibited. Violating these rules could result in fines and imprisonment.

Frequently Asked Question (drone Laws Dubai)

What Is Commercial Drone Permit?

If you want to fly your drone for commercial purposes, you will need to apply for a commercial drone permit.

You can apply for a commercial drone permit online by clicking here. The cost of the application is AED 500 and it’s payable via credit card.

Do I Require A License To Fly My Drone In The Uae?

In the UAE, you do require a license to fly your drone. A UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) license is required for commercial use and can be applied for online. The cost is AED 1000 (US$270).

Do I Need A Commercial Drone Permit To Fly My Drone In Dubai?

If you are planning to fly your UAV for commercial purposes, then you will need to apply for a Commercial Drone Permit from Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).

The application process is free of cost and can be done by downloading the forms from DCAA website. Once you have submitted the application, your permit will be issued within two business days.

Conclusion

Keep an eye on your drone at all times, and don’t fly higher than 120 meters or near airports. You could be fined up to Dhs100,000 if you break this rule. Don’t fly within five kilometers of the border with Saudi Arabia without permission from UAE authorities.

This is a great opportunity for drone operators to avoid any trouble with the authorities. Hopefully, this post will be able to help people that are visiting Dubai, and aren’t sure what they can or can’t do while they are here. Please continue to read on below for more information as it helps to provide a lot of useful information.