Remote ID is Coming — Here’s What You Need to Know
On 8 May 2025, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) released CAP3105 a set of important recommendations for how drone rules should look after 1 January 2026, when the UK fully moves away from EU regulations.
If you’re flying drones, this is more than just a policy update. It’s a major change in how you’ll fly, what gear you’ll need, and what kind of training you’ll go through. But what’s attracting the big attention is Remote ID.
The Facts
Remote ID will become mandatory for all drones (unless exempt) above 100g and carrying a camera. It works a bit like a digital license plate broadcasting your drone’s ID and location so authorities can tell who’s flying where. The technology will be phased in between 2026 and 2028.
How will it work?
Two protocols are on their way
- Direct Remote ID (DRID): This will broadcast the ID directly over RF, with a range of up to 5km from the drone/pilot
- Hybrid Remote ID: As with direct ID, but with the added capability to relay that signal over mobile networks allowing, potentially, pan-UK coverage to those monitoring the system
But There Are Questions…
ARPAS-UK, the drone industry’s trade group, is raising concerns:
- Who’s going to pay for the infrastructure?
- Will only authorised officials access your data?
- Is there anything in this for me?
- Will it actually catch the bad guys or only the slightly careless good guys?
- What is the CAA’s motivation for doing it?
Will This All Cost You More?
This is an obvious area of concern, especially given the significant price rises seen recently for operators in the Specific Category and also those seeking additional authorisations through the new SORA process. Our view is that there is unlikely to be any significant knock-on for hardware prices as drone manufacturers will be implementing Remote ID in any case. However, the creep in regulatory charges is very likely to increase given that the backbone for Remote ID will likely be a sizeable cost for the regulator.
Will Remote ID actually catch the bad guys?
It’s fair to ask will Remote ID actually catch the bad guys, or just make life harder for rule-following pilots who slip up? The idea behind Remote ID is solid: track who’s flying where to improve safety and accountability. But, here’s the catch – those with bad intentions are the least likely to comply. Meanwhile, everyday pilots could get flagged for minor mistakes, such as failing to update hardware/firmware or flying just outside of a zone. The concern is that Remote ID might end up policing the “slightly careless good guys” more than deterring real threats.
ARPAS-UK is also pushing back on fairness and privacy, asking whether data will be secure and access limited to authorised personnel. At present, it is not difficult for Remote ID to be read by third parties. These could include competitors, or those with a vested interest in limiting flying or charging for access, and not necessarily with any official remit to do that.
What is the CAA’s motivation behind this?
At its core, it’s about airspace safety, accountability, and future-proofing drone regulation. As drones become more common, especially in urban and commercial settings, the CAA wants a way to clearly identify who’s flying what and where without needing boots on the ground. Think of it like number plates for cars: it makes enforcement and incident response faster and more accurate. Plus, Remote ID helps the UK align with global aviation standards, making it easier for commercial pilots to operate across borders in the future. The big question is whether this motivation translates into fair and practical rules that actually support the drone community rather than just regulate it.
We will be watching with interest.