There is no minimum age to fly a drone recreationally in the United States. If you want to fly commercially, you must be at least 16 to hold the FAA’s Remote Pilot Certificate. And to register a drone with the FAA, which is required for anything weighing 0.55 pounds or more, the registrant must be at least 13.
Recreational Flying Has No Minimum Age
Congress declined to set an age floor for hobby drone use, and the FAA has confirmed that decision. A young child can legally operate a recreational drone, though what’s legal and what’s wise are different questions once a heavier drone is in the air near people or traffic.
Every recreational pilot, regardless of age, has to pass the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). It’s a short, free online quiz on basic safety and airspace rules, offered by FAA-approved administrators such as the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Pilot Institute.1Federal Aviation Administration. The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) There’s no minimum age to take it.2Federal Aviation Administration. What Is the Minimum Age of Individuals Required to Take TRUST? You have to carry proof of completion whenever you fly.3Federal Aviation Administration. Recreational Flyers and Community-Based Organizations
Recreational flyers also have to keep the drone within visual line of sight, yield to manned aircraft, and stay clear of restricted airspace near airports, stadiums during events, and other protected zones.3Federal Aviation Administration. Recreational Flyers and Community-Based Organizations
You Must Be 13 to Register a Drone
Any drone weighing 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or more has to be registered with the FAA before it flies, recreational or commercial.4Federal Aviation Administration. How to Register Your Drone That threshold covers most drones beyond basic toys.
The person registering the drone must be at least 13 years old. If the owner is younger than 13, an adult or older sibling who meets the age requirement has to register it on their behalf. Registration is $5 and lasts three years. Recreational flyers pay once and cover every drone they own; commercial operators under Part 107 register and pay per aircraft.4Federal Aviation Administration. How to Register Your Drone
Whoever registers the drone is the person tied to it in FAA records. A parent who registers a drone for a younger child can be held responsible if it’s flown in violation of the rules.
You Must Be 16 to Fly Commercially
Any drone work done for a business purpose, whether that’s real estate photos, aerial surveys, crop monitoring, or deliveries, falls under FAA Part 107. Operating commercially requires a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating, and the minimum age for that certificate is 16.5eCFR. 14 CFR Part 107 – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
To earn the certificate, you pass the FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an approved testing center. The test covers airspace, weather, regulations, and operational safety, and costs around $175. You also need to be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.5eCFR. 14 CFR Part 107 – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems U.S. citizenship isn’t required.
The certificate itself doesn’t expire, but you have to complete a free online recurrent training course every 24 calendar months to stay current.6Federal Aviation Administration. Remote Pilot Certificate Expiration and Recurrent Training If you miss that window, you can’t legally fly commercially until you finish it.
Can a Minor Fly on a Commercial Job?
Yes, with supervision. A 14- or 15-year-old can’t hold a Part 107 certificate, but Part 107 allows anyone to work the controls as long as a certificated remote pilot in command is directly supervising and can take over immediately.5eCFR. 14 CFR Part 107 – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems The certificated pilot carries full legal responsibility for the flight.
For recreational flying, there is no supervision requirement written into the FAA rules at any age. Parental judgment fills that gap.
State and Local Rules May Add More
Federal age rules are the floor, not the ceiling. State and local governments can impose their own restrictions on where drones can be flown, and some of those rules affect minors specifically. Check your city or county ordinances before assuming the FAA rules are the only ones that apply.