In 2016, new regulations for drones will affect most owners in the US. Registration officially began on December 21st (2015) and cost $5, though that fee is waived if you register before January 30th (2016). Wondering if you need to register your drone? Most likely, check out the FAA guidelines below.
Guidelines:
- Drones between .55 and 55 lbs must be registered.
- Registration is mandatory in the U.S.
- If you already own a drone, you have until February 19th, 2016 to register it.
- If your drone was bought after December 21st, 2016 you must register it before it’s first flight.
Failure to register an aircraft can result in civil penalties up to $27,500. Criminal penalties for failure to register can include fines of up to $250,000 under 18 U.S.C. 3571 and/or imprisonment up to three years.
How To Register Your Drone:
- Be at least 13 years old.
- Head to the FAA’s registry page.
- Register with your email address, physical address, and credit/debit card to verify.
Once you’ve registered your drone, you must mark it with its new unique registration number in a location that doesn’t require tooling to access it. Many owners have decided to put the number inside the battery compartment. According to the FAA, the registration will be good for up to three years.
