FAA Part 107 Complete Guide 2025 - Dronefaaregulations

Understanding FAA Part 107: The Foundation of Commercial Drone Operations

The Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 107 regulations, officially titled “Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” revolutionized commercial drone use when implemented in August 2016. This comprehensive framework governs how businesses and professionals can legally operate drones in the United States, balancing innovation with safety.

Whether you’re a photographer, surveyor, real estate agent, or agriculture specialist looking to leverage drone technology, understanding Part 107 is not optional—it’s the law. This guide breaks down every essential rule you need to know to operate legally and safely in 2025.

Part 107 Certification: Getting Your Remote Pilot Certificate

Before you can legally operate a drone for commercial purposes, you must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate. The requirements are straightforward but important:

Age Requirement: You must be at least 16 years old
Language Proficiency: Ability to read, speak, write, and understand English
Physical and Mental Fitness: No medical exam required, but you must not have any condition that would interfere with safe operation
Knowledge Test: Pass the Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an FAA-approved testing center
TSA Vetting: Pass a background check conducted by the Transportation Security Administration

The knowledge test covers aeronautical knowledge areas including regulations, airspace classification, weather, loading and performance, and operations. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, and you need a score of 70% or higher to pass. The test costs approximately $175 and is administered at FAA-approved testing centers nationwide.

Recurrent Training Requirements

Your Part 107 certificate is valid for 24 months. To maintain your certification, you must complete recurrent training every two years. You have two options:

Pass the recurrent knowledge test at an FAA testing center
Complete an online recurrent training course through the FAA’s website (available since April 2021)

Most pilots choose the online option as it’s free, convenient, and can be completed at your own pace.

Operational Limitations: The Rules of the Sky

Part 107 establishes specific operational limitations designed to ensure safety. These are non-negotiable unless you obtain a waiver from the FAA.

Altitude Restrictions

The maximum allowable altitude is 400 feet above ground level (AGL), or up to 400 feet above a structure if you’re flying within a 400-foot radius of that structure. This limitation prevents conflicts with manned aircraft, which typically operate at higher altitudes.

For example, if you’re inspecting a 200-foot tall building, you can fly up to 600 feet AGL while remaining within 400 feet of the structure. However, once you move away from the structure, you must descend to 400 feet AGL or below.

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)

You must keep your drone within visual line of sight at all times. This means you must be able to see the aircraft with your own eyes (glasses or contact lenses are allowed) without the aid of binoculars, telescopes, or other devices. FPV (first-person view) goggles cannot be your primary means of seeing the drone.

If you use a visual observer, they must maintain VLOS and communicate the drone’s position to you. The visual observer must be co-located with you or the person manipulating the controls.

Speed and Operational Limits

Maximum Speed: 100 mph (87 knots)
Minimum Visibility: 3 statute miles from the control station
Cloud Clearances: Minimum distance of 500 feet below clouds and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds
Daylight Operations: Only during daylight or civil twilight (30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset) with appropriate anti-collision lighting

Operational Rules: What You Can and Cannot Do

Prohibited Operations

Part 107 explicitly prohibits certain types of operations without specific waivers:

No Operations Over People: You cannot fly over human beings not directly participating in the operation, unless you have a Category 1, 2, 3, or 4 operation under the new Part 107 rules (implemented in 2021)
No Operations from Moving Vehicles: You cannot operate from a moving aircraft or moving land or water-based vehicle, unless you’re flying over a sparsely populated area
No Careless or Reckless Operations: You must not operate in a manner that endangers life or property
No Operations Under the Influence: You cannot act as a remote pilot if you have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater, or if impaired by drugs

Operations Over People Categories

The 2021 amendments to Part 107 introduced four categories for operations over people, replacing the blanket prohibition:

Category 1: Small drones (under 0.55 lbs) with no exposed rotating parts that could lacerate skin. No special declaration required.

Category 2: Drones that do not exceed injury thresholds (no injury to a human greater than 11 foot-pounds of kinetic energy). Must have an FAA-accepted Declaration of Compliance.

Category 3: Operations over people only if they’re inside a closed or restricted site and receive notice. Drone cannot maintain sustained flight over open-air assemblies.

Category 4: Drones with airworthiness certificate issued under Part 21. Very rare for small UAS.

Airspace Authorization and Controlled Airspace

Understanding airspace is crucial for Part 107 compliance. The United States airspace is divided into different classes, each with specific requirements.

Class B, C, D, and E Airspace

These controlled airspace areas typically surround airports. Under Part 107, you must obtain authorization before flying in Class B, C, D, or E airspace that extends to the surface. This is where the LAANC system comes in.

LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) provides near-real-time authorization to fly in controlled airspace. Using approved apps like Aloft, AirMap, or Kittyhawk, you can receive instant or near-instant authorization for flights in designated areas.

For areas not covered by LAANC or for operations requiring special consideration, you must submit a DroneZone airspace authorization request, which can take several weeks to process.

Class G Airspace

Most recreational and commercial drone flights occur in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. No authorization is required, but all other Part 107 rules still apply.

Remote ID Requirements Under Part 107

As of September 16, 2023, all drones operating under Part 107 must broadcast Remote ID information unless flying in an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA).

Remote ID transmits your drone’s location, altitude, speed, and the control station’s location in real-time. You can comply through:

Standard Remote ID: Built-in capability (required for all drones manufactured after September 2023)
Broadcast Module: An external device added to older drones
FRIA Operations: Flying at designated FAA-Recognized Identification Areas where Remote ID is not required

Pre-Flight Requirements and Responsibilities

Before every flight, Part 107 requires remote pilots to:

Assess Weather Conditions: Check visibility, wind, cloud cover, and other meteorological factors
Inspect the Drone: Conduct a preflight inspection of your aircraft to ensure it’s in safe operating condition
Check Airspace: Verify you’re authorized to fly in your intended location using tools like B4UFLY or UAV Forecast
Review NOTAMs: Check Notices to Airmen for temporary flight restrictions or special conditions
Ensure Documentation: Carry your Remote Pilot Certificate and have aircraft registration available

Waivers: Operating Beyond Standard Rules

If your operation requires deviation from Part 107 rules, you can apply for a waiver. Commonly waived provisions include:

Operations over people (though the new categories have reduced the need for this waiver)
Night operations (less common since the 2021 rule change allowing night flights with proper lighting and training)
Visual line of sight requirements
Operations from moving vehicles over populated areas
Multiple drone operations by a single pilot

Waiver applications are submitted through the FAA’s DroneZone portal and require detailed operational descriptions, risk mitigation strategies, and safety assessments. The approval process typically takes 90 days or more.

Enforcement and Penalties

The FAA takes Part 107 violations seriously. Penalties can include:

Civil penalties up to $32,666 per violation
Certificate suspension or revocation
Criminal penalties for particularly egregious violations

Common violations include flying in controlled airspace without authorization, flying beyond visual line of sight, and operating over people without proper categorization or waivers.

Staying Current in 2025 and Beyond

The regulatory landscape for drones continues to evolve. In 2025, remote pilots should stay informed about:

Remote ID Enforcement: The FAA is actively enforcing Remote ID requirements
Expanding LAANC Coverage: More airports and airspace areas are being added to the LAANC system
Evolving Operations Over People Rules: More manufacturers are obtaining Category 2 declarations for their drones
Emerging Technologies: UTM (UAS Traffic Management) systems are being developed for beyond visual line of sight operations

Regular visits to the FAA’s UAS website and participation in industry organizations like AUVSI or local UAS user groups will help you stay current with regulatory changes.

Conclusion

Part 107 provides a clear, comprehensive framework for commercial drone operations. While the rules may seem restrictive at first, they’re designed to integrate drones safely into the National Airspace System while enabling countless commercial applications.

Success as a Part 107 remote pilot requires more than just passing the knowledge test. It demands ongoing education, careful flight planning, and a commitment to safety. By understanding and following these regulations, you’re not just staying legal—you’re contributing to the responsible growth of the drone industry and protecting the privilege of flight for all remote pilots.

Whether you’re just starting your Part 107 journey or you’re a seasoned commercial pilot, keeping these rules at the forefront of every operation ensures you’ll have a long, successful, and safe career in the skies.