Drone Laws Wales [March 2023] [Rules and Registering]

Flying drones in the UK is a lot of fun, but there are rules that you need to follow. Here is everything you need to know about drone laws in Wales.

The CAA says that you must always keep your drone in sight, stay below 400ft, and don’t fly near airports or airfields. The CAA also says that you mustn’t fly within 150 meters of congested areas or people, or above 400 meters where possible.

Drone Rules In Wales

Know Where You Can Fly

If you are not licensed, you can fly in Wales but not in England or Scotland. If you are licensed, then it is up to your personal preference where and when to fly.

Always Keep Your Drone In Sight

You must always keep your drone in sight, and if you can’t see it, then you can’t fly it. Flying out of sight is illegal and could result in a criminal record.

Stay Well Away From Aircraft, Airports And Airfields

Airspace around airports and airfields is controlled by the Civil Aviation Authority. The CAA has authority over all airspace in the UK, including Wales, and can impose airspace restrictions on drone operators. Airports are also given powers to regulate drone activity too by using their own regulations on an airport-by-airport basis.

Airports are under pressure from airlines to alleviate safety concerns over drones during flight, so it’s important that you only fly your drone in places where there isn’t any aircraft activity taking place. It’s also important that your drone has been approved by the CAA before flying it near or at an airport or airfield – failing to do so could result in prosecution or even imprisonment!

Respect The Privacy Of Others

• Respect The Privacy Of Others.
• Don’t fly over private property and make sure you don’t fly your drone within 50m (164ft) of structures that are not in direct control of you, such as buildings, cars or people.
• Never fly within 150m (492ft) of any person or animal on land or water, except where agreed with the landowner.
• Do not fly above crowds, sporting events, large gatherings of people and prisons.

Keep Below 400ft (120m)

• You should always keep your drone below 400ft (120m).
• The height limit is measured from the ground, so it will be different depending on where you fly.
• For example: in Wales, the height limit is measured from sea level so if you are flying near a mountain or cliff face, this may mean that your drone must stay below 400ft even though it may not seem like there’s anything above you!

If you want to make sure that your drone stays safe and legal, check out our drone laws page for more information on all of the rules and regulations listed above.

Use Your Common Sense

The first thing you can do to avoid breaking the law is use common sense. Don’t fly your drone too close to people or property. Keep away from towns, cities and built-up areas if possible.

Fly at least 50 metres away from people, animals and objects that aren’t part of your drone or its payload (this includes other aircraft). If you are flying within 50m of a building, keep the drone at least 2m away from it.

If you’re flying near an airport or airfield make sure to check out the rules for that particular area before taking off – this will help ensure that there are no restrictions on where drones can be flown in relation to airport buildings and runways.

Drones should always be kept well clear of roads, railways and large groups of people who may not expect a flying object nearby – as there has been an increase in reported incidents involving drones over recent years it is important not only for safety but also legal reasons that these guidelines are followed carefully by all users or consider purchasing insurance coverage through companies like Aerial Assure which provide such coverage specifically tailored towards commercial UAV pilots operating under Part 107 regulations such as those operating commercially across multiple states using long distance applications such as pipelines monitoring services provided by companies like Drone Deploy Incorporated

Be Aware Of The Rules Before You Fly

Before you fly, be sure to check out the rules.

• Avoid flying near airports and airfields. You should keep your drone at least 500 metres away from the airport’s boundaries and not above 400 feet (120 metres).
• Use common sense. If you are unsure about any of the rules, it’s probably best to just avoid flying altogether for now. This will help protect all involved in drone flying, including yourself and those around you.

How To Register Drone In Wales

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the UK’s regulator for civil aviation. If you want to fly a drone, model aircraft or mini-UAV in Wales, you must be registered as an operator with them.

The CAA will make sure that your drone complies with all safety regulations and cannot be used in any way that could endanger other people or property.

You should also always fly responsibly: don’t fly near airports or above 400ft/120m; never fly over crowds of people; and read our guide on how not to crash your drone into someone else’s property!

This Guide Explains How To Register Your Drone Or Model Aircraft With The Caa

A drone is an unmanned aircraft (UA), which includes both remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) and remotely operated aircraft systems (ROAS). An RPV requires the continuous guidance of a pilot and can be controlled by radio link, but does not include model aircraft that are flown for sport or recreation. A ROAS is an UA that has an on-board pilot.

To Register As An Operator Of A Small Unmanned Aircraft (drone) In Wales

To Register As An Operator Of A Small Unmanned Aircraft (drone) In Wales, you must be at least 13 years old. You can register a drone at any age but you must be at least 13 years old to fly a drone.

Registering Is Free

Registering your drone is free. You can do it online, by post, over the phone or in person. It’s even possible to register a drone that weighs between 250g and 20kg in Welsh! Registration will last for three years.

You Can Only Register One Drone At A Time

You Can Only Register One Drone At A Time, but you can update your details if you buy a new drone up to 7 days after the old one was registered.

You must register before you fly your drone or it will be a criminal offence and could lead to prosecution. Once registered, the registration number must be marked on each individual drone so that they can be identified as part of the scheme (if found by police).

If You Plan To Fly A Drone Or Model Aircraft Weighing Between 250g And 20kg

If You Plan To Fly A Drone Or Model Aircraft Weighing Between 250g And 20kg, you must register as an operator of a small unmanned aircraft (drone) with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Registration is free and only takes about 10 minutes. You Can Only Register One Drone At A Time. Once you’ve registered, you’ll be able to fly your new drone straight away. If your details change after registration – for example because you buy another drone – then update them within 7 days of making the change.

Are Drones Allowed In Wales

Drones are becoming increasingly popular, but are they allowed in Wales? The short answer is yes. Drones Are Highly Regulated By Law so it is important to know the rules before you fly.

Yes! You can fly your drone in Wales. However, you must follow some rules and regulations to do so safely. Drones are not permitted in certain areas, including airports, military bases and prisons.

What restrictions apply to flying drones in Wales?

• You must be aged 13 or over to operate a drone weighing 20kg or more; anyone aged 13 years old or more has to be supervised by someone who is at least 18 years old when flying a drone.
• You must register your drone with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It’s free of charge and only takes five minutes.
• Drones can’t be flown above 400 feet for recreational purposes or within 150 metres (492 ft) of congested areas such as roads, railways tracks or ports.
• The maximum take-off weight of a model aircraft cannot exceed 250 grams (8.8 ounces).

What Are The Laws Regarding Drones

Drone laws are not difficult to understand, but it is important that you know the rules before you fly. If a drone is flown within 50 metres of a congested area, or if it flies within 150 metres of a congested area, then the operator will be committing an offence and can be fined up to £2,500.

In addition to this restriction on flying near congested areas there are also limitations on how high drones can be flown in Wales. If your drone weighs more than 7kg (15lb) then you must keep it at least 150 metres away from people who are not associated with your operation.

Are Drones Banned In Wales

Drones are not banned, but there are some restrictions on where you can fly drones. You need to check the rules before you fly and these can be found on the gov.uk website.

Do I Need Permission To Fly A Drone In Wales

No, you don’t need permission to fly a drone in Wales. But you do need to follow the rules of the air.

Drones use airspace shared by other users like airplanes, helicopters and more. Air traffic controllers are responsible for ensuring that drones stay away from airports and airfields, where planes are taking off or landing.

Drone pilots must also keep their drones below 400ft and away from people or vehicles on the ground when flying within 50 metres/164 feet of them (and not closer than 25 metres/82 feet if there is a group of people).

However, there are some exceptions: if your drone weighs less than 20kg / 44lbs with no payloads attached then you may fly above 400ft without having to give way to manned aircraft,

If your drone weighs between 20kg /44lbs and 150kg /330lbs but has no payloads attached then it can be flown at any height providing it gives way to all manned aircraft; if your drone weighs over 150kg / 330lbs then it must operate at less than 100m (328 ft) above ground level,

And finally, we recommend that you always avoid congested areas such as busy towns/cities as well as large gatherings of people such as sporting events or festivals

For example, Glastonbury Festival will attract thousands of visitors each year which makes this event unsuitable for flying drones due its high footfall levels during peak times

Where Can I Fly My Drone In Wales

You can fly your drone in most places in Wales, the UK and Europe. Some areas are prohibited for safety reasons.

However, where you can fly a drone is also dependent on its size and weight as well as its speed and distance capability (for example: if it weighs less than 20kg).

There are no restrictions on the height at which drones can be flown but they must be kept clear of congested areas like built-up areas or roads with a speed limit higher than 30mph.

Drones Are Highly Regulated By Law

Drones Are Highly Regulated By Law so it is important to know the rules before you fly. The UK has some of the strictest drone laws in the world, with a minimum 5-mile exclusion zone around airports and restrictions on flying over built-up areas.

UK drone laws are likely to change further in the future as the government seeks to introduce new rules for drones weighing less than 20kg that most hobbyists fly. There have been calls for more flexibility when it comes to flying drones near people or property but so far these have been rejected by ministers.

Conclusion

Drone laws in Wales are pretty simple, don’t fly your drone over 400 feet, and don’t fly it near airports or airfields. Those are the rules, and they’re pretty easy to follow. But if you’re planning on doing some filming with your drone.

We’ve covered the key rules you need to follow when flying your drone, but there are plenty of others. The main thing to remember is that it all comes down to common sense—we know it can be tempting to break a few rules once in a while, but if something feels wrong then it probably is! Remember that your safety and that of those around you should always come first.

Drones are a great way to explore the world around you, but they can also be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Always be careful when flying and make sure that you follow the rules. If anyone has any questions about drones, feel free to contact us!

Frequently Asked Questions (drone Laws Wales)

Do I Need Permission To Fly A Drone In Wales?

It’s a common misconception that you need to get permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) before flying drones in Wales.

However, as long as you don’t fly your drone over people, car or buildings, and keep it within line of sight at all times (i.e., so it can be seen without binoculars), then you’re good to go!

Am I Allowed To Fly A Drone Over People, Cars And Buildings?

In the UK, you can fly your drone over people, cars and buildings.

You can also fly over private property as long as you have permission from the owner of that property. You should always ask permission before flying in an area where someone might not expect to see a drone flying overhead.

However, there are some areas where flying is not allowed at all (such as airports). If you want to know more about this then check out our section on Drone Laws in Wales too!

Is It Legal To Take Photos Or Videos Of People With My Drone In Wales?

Yes, it is legal to take photos or videos of people with your drone in public spaces. However, you cannot use the drone to harass people. You also cannot use the drone to invade anyone’s privacy without their permission.

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

In order to fly a Drone in Wales, you need to register your Drone with the CAA by going online and filling in the registration form.

You must also be at least 16 years old while flying a drone in Wales. Additionally, you must be able to read and write English fluently. A knowledge test is required when applying for your license but this can be taken online at any time before your flight takes place so it’s better not to wait until then before taking it!

Can I Fly My Drone Commercially Without A License In Wales?

Yes, you can fly commercially without a license. You need to register your drone with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). You must follow the rules of the CAA and may need to get additional permissions from other organisations before you start flying.

How High Can Drones Fly In Wales?

You must not fly your drone above 400 feet (120 metres).

The height of your drone can be restricted by:

• The manufacturer of the drone, who may have a recommended maximum height in their user manual.
• You as an operator, if you set a maximum height limit on your device. For example, if you are using a DJI Phantom 4 and want to prevent it from flying higher than 150 feet (50 metres), then you should set this in its settings.

You must also avoid flying at night or within 50 metres of any person who is not involved in controlling the operation of the aircraft; otherwise you will need permission from them first!

Can I Fly My Drone Where I Want In Wales?

• You can fly your drone on your own land and in public spaces.
• You can fly your drone over private land, but you must not interfere with people or property.
• You can only use your drone in a park if the council allows you to do so and they give you written permission. If you break these rules you could be fined up to £2,500 by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

If I Own Land Can I Fly There As Much As I Want In Wales?

The answer to this question is yes, as long as you own the land. If you don’t own it then it’s a bit more complicated.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) decided that flying Drones over public land was okay without permission; however, if you want to fly over private land then you will need to ask for permission first and get written consent from the owner of said private property