The FAA’s policy for exercising discretion in determining whether to take enforcement action for drone operators who were not able to comply with the Remote ID Rule ended on March 16, 2024. Operators who do not comply after that date could face fines and suspension or revocation of their drone pilot certificate.
Remote Identification (Remote ID) applies to drones which are required to be registered or have been registered with the FAA, including those flown for recreation, business, or public safety, and drones that are foreign-registered.
Why is Remote ID necessary?
Remote ID is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the national airspace system by distinguishing compliant airspace users from those potentially posing a safety or security risk. Remote ID also helps to lay the foundation for routine advanced operations such as package delivery and flying beyond visual line of sight.
What do drone operators need to do?
There are three ways to comply with Remote ID:
1. Operate a Standard Remote ID Drone – a drone produced with built-in Remote ID broadcast capabilities; or
2. Operate a Drone with a Remote ID Broadcast Module – a device with Remote ID broadcast capabilities that can be attached to a drone; or
3. Operate at an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) – areas where drones without Remote ID broadcast capabilities can operate.
How to know if a drone or broadcast module is Remote ID compliant?
1. Go to the FAA UAS Declaration of Compliance website
2. Click on “View Public DOC List”
3. Filter by “RID” and “Accepted”
4. Search for your drone or broadcast module.
A FAA-registered drone or broadcast module broadcasts Remote ID but is not on the Public DOC List, is it Remote ID compliant?
No, even if advertised as “Remote ID ready” or uses other verbiage, only drones or broadcast modules listed on the FAA DOC are in compliance with the rule.
Is it necessary to update a drone’s registration with Remote ID information?
If your drone or broadcast module is listed on the public DOC list, you need to register or update your existing drone registration through FAADroneZone to include the standard Remote ID drone or Remote ID broadcast module serial number. The Remote ID serial number is not the same as your drone’s serial number. Drone owners should check with their manufacturer for additional information.
Since recreational pilots only need to register once and can apply that registration number to multiple aircraft, they can list one Remote ID broadcast module serial number and move the broadcast module from drone to drone as long as it is listed on the same registration.
Part 107 pilots need to register each drone individually. Therefore, each drone must have its own Standard Remote ID or Remote ID broadcast module serial number.
To learn more about adding a Remote ID serial number to your drone’s registration, visit the FAA Remote ID webpage here
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