Drone Laws Mexico [March 2023] [Rules And Registering]

Mexico is the most visited country in Latin America, with over 20 million foreign tourists visiting the country each year. The rich culture and amazing beaches have made it a place of great opportunity for both tourists and entrepreneurs.

It is important to note that drones must be registered with the Mexican government, and their operators must have license to fly them. Drones are not allowed to fly within 5 kilometers of any airport or military installation. They cannot fly at night or in bad weather conditions.

Having said that, you should be careful of the regulations when flying your drone in Mexico, as they can get quite restrictive! Before heading out to photograph the beautiful Mexican landscape with your drone, we highly suggest you check drone laws Mexico and familiarize yourself with the rules to avoid running into any issues with local authorities.

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Drone Laws Mexico

Flying a drone in Mexico requires authorization from the SCT (Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes). To obtain this authorization, you must have your drone registered and be able to provide proof of registration.

The maximum altitude for flying a drone is 150 m (492 ft.) above sea level. The National Civil Aviation Guidelines also suggest keeping your drone within 50 m (164 ft.) of people at all times to minimize the risk of injury or damage from falling debris if it should crash.
Drones may not be flown during night time hours unless they comply with regulations set forth by the SCT for nighttime usage, which includes having lights on them and ensuring that they are visible from all directions at all times so as not to cause accidents with other aircrafts flying near them during their use

Mexican Drone Law Summary

The Mexican drone laws in Mexico are fairly strict. In order to fly a drone in Mexico, you need to obtain authorization from the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT), which is similar to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). You may also need approval from municipal authorities.

Register your drone with the SCT. Failure to do so may result in penalties including fines, confiscation of your equipment and arrest by police.
Obtain permission before flying above urban areas or groups of people, or over private property without permission of owners.

A Drone Pilot Must Obtain Authorization From The Sct To Fly

Before flying a drone in Mexico, you must obtain an authorization from the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT). This can be done by either a private or commercial pilot. The authorization must be valid at the time of flight. A drone pilot is responsible for carrying their SCT authorization at all times during their flight and should keep it with them when transporting drones across state lines.

Drones that weigh less than two kilograms are exempt from this rule; however, even these drones require permission from the SCT before being flown within Mexican airspace.

The certificate may not be used for commercial operations unless specifically approved by the aviation authority. However, some applications require documentation indicating that your drone weighs more than 0 pounds but less than 55 pounds — if so, please contact our staff directly to find out more about obtaining permission from both organizations before your trip begins!

A Drone Must Have A Registration Number

In order to fly a drone in Mexico, you must have a registration number, which is obtained after authorization for flight by SCT. The approval process is free and should take between three and fifteen days to be completed. To get started, visit the SCT website and follow the prompts to begin your application process.

Once you’ve finished this step, you can download an authorization form from their site as well. This document will allow you to register your drone with SCT, but it must be presented in person at one of their offices (they are located throughout Mexico). Once they receive your exhibit A, they will issue an official number for your aircraft within 24 hours or less.

Drones May Only Be Flown In Daylight Hours

You must operate the drone in daylight conditions only.

You may not fly your drone at night or in low visibility conditions, such as fog or clouds.
If you are flying over an area containing people, you must maintain a visual line of sight with the drone at all times in order to safely control it and avoid injury to people on the ground.

Drones Must Stay Under 150 M Altitude And Must Fly At Least 50 M Away From People

You must keep your drone within a certain distance from people.
You must fly at least 50 m (164 ft.) away from people.
You may not fly over groups of people.
You may not fly over private property without permission.
You may not fly over urban areas, including cities, towns and villages as well as central areas of cities or towns that are surrounded by numerous tall buildings (more than five stories high). This includes all shopping malls, offices and other commercial buildings that have more than one floor above ground level where you can see inside the building through its windows or doors when standing on the street outside the building. It also includes apartment buildings with more than two floors above ground level where you can see inside any of its apartments or rooms through its windows or doors when standing on the street outside those apartments/rooms;

Drones Must Fly At Least 8 Km Away From Airports, Power Plants, And Military Airfields

In addition to the general rules described above, you must fly your drone at least 8 km (5 mi.) away from airports and other sensitive locations.

There’s no specific distance requirement for flying near power plants, but it’s probably best to stay far enough away that you won’t be dangerously close if something goes wrong with your drone.

Drones Are Not Permitted To Fly Over Urban Areas, Groups Of People, Or Over Private Property

Urban areas: Drones are not permitted to fly over urban areas or groups of people, or over private property without permission of owners.
Groups of people: Drones are not permitted to fly over groups of people unless they are being used for humanitarian purposes and/or emergency assistance.
Private property: Drones cannot be flown over private property without the owner’s permission.
It is illegal to use a drone in Mexico City and its surrounding municipalities.
The flight and operation of drones must be done with caution, with the respect and attention that their control requires, as well as with respect for other people’s safety.

If You Plan To Fly A Drone In Mexico, It Is Important To Follow These Rules

If You Plan To Fly A Drone In Mexico, It Is Important To Follow These Rules. Here’s a breakdown of the rules:

You must have permission from the Secretariat of Communications and Transport (SCT) before flying your drone in Mexico.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) must weigh less than 25 kilograms and must stay away from airports, power plants and dams.
You cannot fly your UAV higher than 100 meters above sea level or any other fixed structure such as buildings or towers that are taller than this limit.
The UAV must also remain at least 50 meters away from people or groups of people, animals or property owned by others unless they consent otherwise.

How To Register Drone In Mexico

Getting Insurance Is A Must When Flying Drones In Mexico

The government of Mexico requires that you get insurance before flying a drone. This is true even if you are flying your drone in the US.

The type of insurance needed depends on what kind of drone you have, how much it costs, and where it will be flown. If you want to avoid paying Mexican taxes on imported drones, then buying insurance from an American company is advised.

Step 1: Visit The Dgac Website

Go to the DGAC website.
Find the drone registration form.
Fill out the form and print it out.
Sign the form and send it to the DGAC via mail. Make sure that you keep a copy of this document for yourself as well!
Pay your fee (MXN $5,000) for registering your drone at this point, and wait for them to process your request (in about one week).

Step 2: Fill Out The Form In The Same Way You Would For A Similar Aircraft

To complete the registration, you’ll need to fill out the form in the same way you would for a similar aircraft.

When filling out this form:

Provide your name and address.
Provide a copy of all required documents (e.g., passport, drones registration).
Give all details about your drone (make, model number) and pilot’s license number if applicable.

Step 3: Make Your Payments To Mexico Customs

After completing the online registration, you will receive a confirmation email from Mexico Customs. It will take anywhere from 10 minutes to 24 hours for them to process your application depending on the time of day you file it.

If you have not received your confirmation after 24 hours, please contact us at [email protected] so that we can help you troubleshoot any issues with your application.

A Tax Of $15 A Day Should Be Added To Each Day You Operate Your Drone

A Tax Of $15 A Day Should Be Added To Each Day You Operate Your Drone. The tax is not applicable for those who are registered and have their documents with them, so make sure you keep all of them handy. The tax does not apply to drones used by companies that provide services such as aerial photography or surveying, as long as they have proper authorization from the Ministerio de Comunicaciones y Transportes (Ministry of Communications and Transport).

Are Drones Allowed In Mexico

Drones Are Allowed In Mexico But Only With Certain Restrictions

Drones are allowed in Mexico, but only with certain restrictions. In order to fly a drone in Mexico, you must register your drone with the Mexican government and follow its guidelines for flying.

Drones are not allowed to be flown:

above 200 meters (656 feet)

within 10 km of an airport or military base without permission from the local authority or owner of the property

closer than 50 meters (164 feet) from people who are not involved in operations of any kind

over beaches, archaeological sites, protected areas, private properties or public venues without permission from the owner or administrator.

Mexican Laws Prohibit Drones In All The National Parks And Airports

National parks are off-limits to drones. In Mexico, as in the United States, you’re not allowed to fly your drone over national parks.
All airports are off-limits to drones. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small regional airport (like one serving Puerto Vallarta) or a major international hub such as Cancun International Airport — all airports are no-fly zones for drones.
Security zones within an airport or surrounding one may be off limits depending on the events being held there at any given time (such as a presidential visit). If you’re uncertain whether your planned flight route will violate security rules for an event happening at an airport, contact officials with questions before taking off with your drone.* Federal buildings like embassies and government offices may also be restricted from flying in certain areas near them; check with local authorities before attempting to fly nearby.* Drones aren’t allowed inside federal prisons either — so if you plan to visit Chihuahua Prison or El Hongo Prison while on vacation in Guadalajara then don’t pack up your quadcopter just yet.

If You Are Planning To Fly A Drone In Mexico, Make Sure You Don’t Go To Any Of The Security Zones

Before you fly a drone in Mexico, there are some things you should know. The first thing is that if it’s not a hobbyist drone, you need to have the proper license. Secondly, there are restrictions on where you can fly drones in Mexico.

Don’t fly your drone near airports! Flying a drone near an airport could cause accidents and delays for pilots and passengers alike.
Don’t fly your drone near national parks! National parks are protected areas where people come to enjoy nature and wildlife in peace—so don’t disturb them with loud noises or bright lights from your drone’s camera!
Don’t fly your drone near any military bases! Military bases are also protected areas, so they shouldn’t be disturbed either by loud noises or bright lights from cameras mounted on drones flying nearby (and usually carrying weapons). If someone sees something suspicious happening around one of their bases–like an unidentified flying object hovering above one of their buildings–they may shoot first without asking questions later because they’re trained not just for safety but also self-defense purposes too when necessary.”

If You Want To Fly Your Drone In Mexico, Check Out If Your Drone Is Allowed In That Country

If You Want To Fly Your Drone In Mexico, Check Out If Your Drone Is Allowed In That Country.

In general, drones are permitted for commercial use and may be flown by individuals provided they are registered with the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT) and meet certain requirements.

Conclusion

When flying your drone, you must keep the drone within your sight at all times. You cannot fly above people or vehicles, or within 50 meters of any person or property without their consent. You cannot fly over populated areas or crowds unless you receive permission from the authorities first.

The legal use of drones in Mexico is complicated, and it’s of course subject to change with the passage of time. However, what we’ve provided here is a good start and a solid foundation on which to build your knowledge of drone laws Mexico.

Drone laws in Mexico are becoming stricter nowadays. The Transport’s Secretariat (“Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes” or “SCT”) and the Ministry of Defense have updated some rules and norms to the flight control in air space limits.

Frequently Asked Questions (drone Laws Mexico)

Do I Need Insurance To Fly A Drone In Mexico?

If you are flying commercially, then yes. You will need to have insurance for your drone and it must be registered with the Mexican Civil Aviation Authority (INAC).

If you are flying recreationally, then no. There is no requirement to get insurance as long as you’re not making money by doing so – though it may be a good idea if something goes wrong!

If you are flying for commercial purposes, then yes! You must register your drone with INAC before taking off from any airport or other location in Mexico.

You can register online here or at an INAC office near where you plan on flying (there are about 25 around the country). The registration cost is 20 pesos per day and is valid for 3 months – after which time it expires and needs renewing again.

Do I Need To Register My Drone In Mexico?

If you are flying your drone for commercial purposes, then yes, you need to register it with the Mexican government. If you are flying it for private purposes, then no, there is no need to register your drone in Mexico.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states that drones must weigh less than 55 pounds and less than 25 kilos (55 pounds), including payloads such as cameras or other attachments like batteries.

If your drone weighs more than 55 pounds and/or 25 kilos (55 pounds), then there’s a chance that it is considered a “special category aircraft” under the law—and therefore would require registration with FAA prior to operation within U.S., regardless of where you’re located in Mexico

Where Can I Fly My Drone In Mexico?

You can fly your drone in Mexico without registering it. You can also fly your drone in Mexico without a license or permit.

You must follow the rules regarding where you can and cannot fly your drone, like not flying within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of an airport or military base. Also, if you are not standing on private property, you must give notice before flying to any people who may be affected by your flight path.

Do I Need A License To Fly A Drone In Mexico?

Yes, you do need a license to fly a drone in Mexico. You can get a license by completing an online course or taking an exam at the local police station.

The license is valid for one year and costs around $50 USD.

Are Drones Legal In Mexico?

Drones are legal in Mexico, but you will need to register your drone with the Mexican government and obtain insurance before flying on your vacation. You must be 16 years old to fly a drone in Mexico.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website has a list of general rules governing the use of drones in America’s domestic airspace:

Operators must keep their drone within sight at all times.
They cannot fly over people who are not participating in the operation or directly involved in its execution, as determined by the operator.
They cannot fly within 5 miles from an airport without permission from air traffic control tower or pilots on board aircraft using that airport; this does not apply if there is no other active runway at other airports within 10 miles of yours; this does not apply if your aircraft weighs less than 55 pounds (25 kilograms).