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Depending on what kind of drone you want to control, you need to obtain a drone licence. Here, it is not only important to consider which models require a licence, but also many other details.
Taking a drone licence: Categories
If you want to buy a drone, you should find out how it is classified. This is because some drones are allowed to be piloted without a licence.
- Classification: New drones are categorised into 5 different classes. These are labelled by the manufacturer so that it is clear to the buyer which class it is. The categories are C0, C1, C2, C3 and C4. The drones differ in size and weight.
- Without a licence: You do not need a licence if you want to control a drone weighing less than 250 grams. This also applies to existing drones that have not been categorised according to the EU regulation. Furthermore, you may control all drones of the class C0 without a driving licence.
- EU Certificate of Competence (A1/A3): This is the small drone licence. To obtain this, you will need to complete online training and an online exam. You will be taught the necessary basic knowledge to control a so-called UAV (unmanned aerial system). The A1/A3 designation is about approaching people. This licence allows you to fly drones weighing between 250 and 500 grams as well as drones weighing less than 2 kg in the OPEN A3 category.
- EU Remote Pilot Certificate (A2): This is the largest drone licence. This is much more comprehensive than the small licence. This licence allows you to fly drones between 500 grams to under 2 kg in the A2 category.
- A1, A2 and A3: Category A1 allows you to fly over uninvolved persons. Category A2 allows you to fly up to 30 m to bystanders and category A3 allows you to fly up to 150 m to bystanders.
Getting your drone licence: Preparation and process
The drone licences differ essentially in scope. Above all, the preparation for the large licence is more extensive. Both licences are valid for 5 years and must then be renewed.
- Preparation: For the small drone licence, there are no legal requirements for the type of preparation. The LBA offers online courses where you work through the videos on your own. For the large drone licence, the preparation varies from seminars lasting several days to 3-hour crash courses. However, it is advisable to do the preparation with the same provider where you also want to take the exam. For the large drone licence, you also need practical self-training in the open field.
- EU competency test: This exam consists of 2 parts and about 40 multiple-choice questions. The exam takes place online and you must answer 75% of the questions correctly to pass. After you have passed the exam, you will receive the certificate as a PDF file. You must carry this with you. You can take the licence directly at the Luftfahrtbundesamt.
- EU-Fernpiloten-Zeugnis: In order to be able to take this driving licence, you must first pass the small driving licence. Furthermore, you need a practical self-training, which you confirm yourself in writing. Furthermore, you have to pass the theory test at a certified centre. The exam consists of three subject areas with 30 multiple-choice questions. If you pass the test, you can apply for your licence at the LBA. There are companies where you can take the preparation as well as the exam online.
