Your first drone in the US, step by step

Updated October 27, 2026. Written from FAA and FCC sources, which are linked throughout. This is a research-based guide, not legal advice.

New to drones? This page is the shortest path from “I just got a drone” (or “I’m thinking about one”) to flying legally in the United States. It’s written for beginners, by a beginner. Work through the five steps in order. Most people can finish steps 1 to 4 in an evening, and the only required cost along the way is a $5 FAA registration (and only if your drone needs it).

First: are you flying for fun or for work?

The FAA has two sets of rules for small drones:

• Recreational flying (purely for fun or personal enjoyment) falls under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations, 49 U.S.C. 44809. You need to pass the free TRUST test and follow the recreational rules.
• Anything else, including real estate photos, roof inspections, or even volunteer “goodwill” flights for an organization, falls under Part 107 and requires an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate. The FAA’s own advice: “When in doubt, assume Part 107.”

Not sure which you are? See Do You Need a License to Fly a Drone?

The 5 steps for a new US drone pilot

Step 1: Learn the basic rules

For recreational flyers the core rules are: keep the drone within your visual line of sight, stay at or below 400 feet in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, get authorization before flying in controlled airspace near airports, give way to other aircraft, and never fly in a way that endangers the airspace. Our Drone Rules & Registration hub covers each rule with links to the FAA source.

Step 2: Take the free TRUST test (recreational flyers)

The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) is free, online, and offered through FAA-approved test administrators. Questions are correctable to 100%, so you can’t really “fail.” Save or print your certificate, because test administrators don’t keep a record of it and you’ll need to show it if asked. Details: TRUST explained.

Step 3: Register your drone if it weighs 250 grams or more

Recreational drones under 250 grams (0.55 lb) don’t need registration. Everything else does, at FAADroneZone. Recreational registration costs $5, covers every drone you own, and lasts three years. Mark the registration number on the outside of the drone. Step-by-step: How to Register Your Drone with the FAA.

Step 4: Make sure you’re Remote ID compliant

If your drone has to be registered, it also has to broadcast Remote ID, either built in (a “Standard Remote ID” drone) or through an add-on broadcast module, unless you fly inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Most current mainstream drones have it built in. Guide: Remote ID Explained for Beginners.

Step 5: Check where you can fly, every time

Before each flight, check the airspace with an FAA-approved B4UFLY app. Near many airports you can get near-real-time permission through LAANC in the same kinds of apps. See Where can I fly?

Choosing a first drone in 2026

Two things matter more than features for a first drone:

• Weight. A drone under 250 grams flown for fun skips registration and Remote ID requirements, which keeps things simple while you learn.
• Availability. On December 22, 2025, the FCC added drones and drone components made in foreign countries to its Covered List. New foreign-made models can’t get FCC authorization, but models that were already authorized can still be imported, sold, and flown, and drones you already own are unaffected (FCC FAQ). Expect fewer brand-new foreign models and check stock before you buy.

Our beginner buying guides are being rebuilt for 2026. In the meantime, start with What Is the Best Drone for Beginners? and How Much Does a Drone Cost?

Want to fly for money? Go for Part 107

If you’d like to earn money with a drone, you need an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate. That means passing the “Unmanned Aircraft General – Small” knowledge test at an approved testing center (about $175). Our Part 107 hub walks through eligibility, the test, studying, and keeping the certificate current.

Learn to fly safely

• How to Fly a Drone: A First-Flight Checklist
• Drone Weather and Wind Limits
• How High Can Drones Fly?
• Flying a Drone at Night: The Rules
• How to Avoid Drone Crashes

About this site

The Complete Drone is run by Doug, a retired firefighter/paramedic from Wisconsin who is new to drones and learning in public. Guides are based on FAA rules and manufacturer information, and they link to their sources. We don’t claim hands-on testing unless a post says so. More about the site · How we make money