UK government proposes mandatory drone registrations and safety awareness tests
The UK government has announced plans to force private drone owners to register their devices as well as passing a safety awareness test -- a drone driving test essentially. The rules would affect drones weighing more than 250g and they come in response to an increasing number of near-misses between drones and aircraft.
The Civil Aviation Authority’s Airprox Board investigated no fewer than 22 incidents between drones and commercial aircraft in the first four months of the year, but police currently have a near-impossible task when it comes to tracing owners of drones that have been flown dangerously.
Research has shown that even relatively small drones flown at moderate speeds can cause serious damaged to aircraft windows and helicopter rotor blades, and there has long been concern about the use of drones near airports and airfields.
The Department of Transport says that tests will be used to force drone owners to "prove that they understand UK safety, security and privacy regulations." The government also wants to extend the use of geo-fencing to create no-fly zones around airports, prisons and other areas.
Earlier in the year, a similar private drone registration scheme faced legal challenges in the US, and only commercial drones are required to be registered as a result. The UK currently requires commercial drone operators to not only register their devices, but also complete training before flying is permitted.
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