FAA Drone Registration in 5 Minutes: The Ultimate $5 Guide

Flying a drone is an incredible experience, offering perspectives of the world we’ve never seen before. Whether you’re a hobbyist capturing stunning sunsets or a professional using a UAS for mapping, one of the first and most critical steps is understanding the vital importance of FAA drone registration. This simple, mandatory process, overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration, is the cornerstone of safe and legal drone operation in the United States.

Many new pilots find the regulations confusing. What is FAA drone registration? Who needs to do it? How does it differ from a Part 107 license? The good news is that the process itself is straightforward and inexpensive, designed to be easily navigated by beginners. This guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you and your drone are fully compliant with federal law. Getting this right from the start not only protects you from significant penalties but also establishes you as a responsible member of the aviation community.

What is FAA Drone Registration?

In simple terms, FAA drone registration is the process of officially listing your unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Think of it just like registering a car with the DMV. It creates a link between the drone and its owner.

This system serves two primary goals: accountability and safety. By linking a drone to an owner, the FAA can trace a drone if it’s lost, involved in an accident, or misused. More importantly, the registration process serves as a key touchpoint to educate pilots. It ensures that everyone flying in the National Airspace System (NAS) is aware of their responsibilities and the basic rules of the sky. As drones become more popular, this registration system is essential for integrating them safely with manned aircraft.

Who Must Register a Drone?

This is the most common question, and the answer depends on two things: your drone’s weight and your flying purpose.

The primary factor is weight. Any drone weighing 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or more must be registered. To be clear, this includes everything on the drone at takeoff, including batteries, prop guards, and any additional cameras or sensors you may have installed.

Many popular drones, including some in the “mini” category, fall within or just under this weight limit. You’ll need to weigh your drone in its flight-ready configuration to be certain. Drones weighing less than 250 grams, only for recreational purposes, do not need to be registered. However, if you use that same sub-250-gram drone for commercial work (Part 107), it must be registered.

Let’s break down the two types of registration.

Recreational Flyers

This category is for pilots who fly purely for fun and personal enjoyment. Under the law (Section 44809), the process is simple:

• Register Once: You register yourself as a pilot once.
• Pay One Fee: The cost is $5.
• Get One Number: You are issued a single registration number.
• Apply to All Drones: You must mark every drone you own (that weighs 0.55 lbs or more) with this same registration number.
• Duration: This registration is valid for three years.
• TRUST: You must also complete The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). This is a free, online knowledge test that you must pass and have proof of completion with you when flying. This is separate from, but related to, the registration process.

Commercial Flyers (Part 107)

This category is for anyone flying for a business, for-profit, or in furtherance of any non-recreational purpose. This includes services such as real estate photography, paid videography, mapping, inspections, or posting monetized videos on YouTube.

Under Part 107 rules, the process is slightly different:

• Register Each Drone: You do not register yourself; you register each drone individually.
• Pay Per Drone: The cost is $5 for each drone you register.
• Get Unique Numbers: Each drone will have its own unique FAA registration number.
• Duration: Each registration is valid for three years.
• License: This is in addition to holding a Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107 license), which is required to fly commercially.

If you are a Part 107 pilot, you cannot use the recreational registration for your commercial drones.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to FAA Drone Registration

Ready to get registered? The process only takes a few minutes. Here is the exact, step-by-step process.

Before You Begin

First, make sure you are eligible and have what you need.

• You must be 13 years of age or older to register. (If you are younger, a parent or guardian must register.)
• Have a valid email address.
• Have a credit or debit card for the $5 fee.
• Know your physical and mailing address.
• If registering under Part 107, you will need the make, model, and serial number for each drone. The serial number is typically located in the battery compartment or on the box containing the drone.

Go to the Official FAA Website

This is the most crucial part. Scammers have set up look-alike websites to trick pilots into paying exorbitant fees for this simple $5 process.

The only official website is: FAADRONEZONE.faa.gov.

Please don’t use any other website. Any site charging more than $5 is a third-party service, not affiliated with the FAA. You can go directly to the official FAA DroneZone to complete your FAA drone registration.

Create Your Account

Once at the FAA DroneZone, you’ll need to create an account.

1. Click “Register” or “Create Account.”
2. Enter your email address and create a secure password.
3. The system will send a verification link to your email. Click it to confirm your account.
4. Log back into your new account.

Select Your Registration Type

The system will now ask you which type of pilot you are.

• Select “I fly under Section 44809 (Recreational Flyer)” if you only fly for fun. The system will guide you through the process, you’ll pay your $5, and you will be issued a single registration number and a printable certificate.
• Select “I fly under Part 107 (Commercial Flyer)” if you fly for work. The system will take you to your “inventory” dashboard. You will click “Add a UAS” and enter the details (make, model, serial number) for your first drone. You’ll pay $5 for that drone. You will repeat this process for every drone you fly commercially.

Pay and Get Your Number

Complete the checkout process by paying the $5 fee. Once paid, the system will immediately issue your registration number(s) and a downloadable registration certificate (as a PDF). Download and save this certificate immediately. You can also print a hard copy.

After You Register Your Drone

You’re not quite ready to fly yet. Getting the number is just the first part.

Mark Your Drone

You must label your drone with your registration number. The rules are specific:

• The registration number must be “readily accessible and maintained in a condition that is readable.”
• As of February 2019, the number must be on the exterior surface of the aircraft. You can no longer just put it inside the battery compartment.
• The marking must be permanent or at least durable. A sticker from a label maker is perfect. A permanent marker (like a silver-point Sharpie for dark drones) also works. Engraving is also an option, but not required.

Carry Proof of Registration

You must have your FAA drone registration certificate with you every time you fly.

• This can be a paper copy (like the one you printed).
• It can also be a digital copy (like the PDF saved on your phone).

If a law enforcement officer or FAA inspector asks to see your registration, you must be able to produce it. Failure to do so can result in penalties, even if you are technically registered.

TRUST vs. Part 107

A common point of confusion is the difference between registration and “licenses.”

Recreational (TRUST)

The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) is not a license. It is a free, online safety test that all recreational flyers are required to pass. It’s designed to ensure you understand basic safety rules, like flying below 400 feet, avoiding airports, and not flying over people. You can’t “fail” it; you take it until you pass. Once complete, you are issued a completion certificate. Like your registration, you must be able to show this TRUST certificate to law enforcement or the FAA if asked.

To be a legal recreational pilot (with a drone > 250g), you need both:

1. FAA drone registration (your $5 registration number).
2. TRUST completion certificate.

Commercial (Part 107)

The Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) is a license. It is for commercial pilots. To get it, you must pass a 60-question, in-person, proctored exam at an FAA testing center. This test covers complex topics like airspace, weather, and aeronautical regulations.

To be a legal commercial pilot, you need both:

1. FAA drone registration for each drone (your $5-per-drone registration).
2. Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (your license to fly for work).

Registration Renewals and Updates

Your FAA drone registration is valid for three years.

The FAA will send you an email reminder when your registration is about to expire. The renewal process is simple:

1. Log into your FAADRONEZONE.faa.gov account.
2. Go to your dashboard.
3. Follow the prompts to “Renew.”
4. Pay the $5 renewal fee.

Your registration number will stay the same.

What if you sell your drone?

• Recreational: You don’t need to do anything, as the number is registered to you, not the drone. Just remove your number from the drone before you sell it.
• Part 107: You must log into your dashboard, go to your inventory, and “Cancel” or “Remove” the registration for the drone you sold. This breaks the link between you and that drone’s serial number.

If you crash or lose a drone, you should also cancel its registration (for Part 107) to keep your inventory accurate.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

What happens if you don’t register? The FAA does not take this lightly. Flying an unregistered drone (that is required to be registered) is a serious violation.

The penalties can be severe:

• Civil Penalties: Fines of up to $27,500.
• Criminal Penalties: Fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.

For a $5 fee that takes 10 minutes, the risk is simply not worth it. Following the FAA drone registration rules is the easiest and cheapest way to ensure your flying hobby or career doesn’t end before it even begins.

Common FAA Drone Registration FAQs

Conclusion: Fly Safe, Fly Legal

FAA drone registration isn’t a barrier to entry; it’s your entry ticket to the skies. It’s a foundational step that proves you are a responsible pilot who respects the safety of the airspace and the people on the ground.

For the low price of $5 and a few minutes of your time, you gain the peace of mind that you are flying legally and are part of the solution, not the problem.

So, before your next flight, take these three simple steps:

1. Go to the only official site: FAADRONEZONE.faa.gov.
2. Register yourself (Recreational) or your drone (Part 107).
3. Mark your drone with your number and carry your certificate.

That’s it. Now you can get back to what matters: flying safe, flying legal, and capturing those incredible views.

Arshad

Flying a drone with a good camera truly feels like you’re soaring through the air, taking in the breathtaking landscape below, and enjoying the scenic views. This experience is what fuels my passion for flying drones. With over 20 years of experience as a certified electronics technician, I possess the skills to thoroughly test drones, both electronically and mechanically, and provide valuable insights. I genuinely hope my knowledge can assist you in making any decisions related to drones.