Federal service · Environment and outdoors
Drone licence and drone registration in Canada
Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked
Short answer
In Canada, any drone weighing 250 g or more must be registered with Transport Canada through the Drone Management Portal and marked with its registration number. The pilot also needs a drone pilot certificate, earned by passing an online exam; the basic one is open from age 14. Drones under 250 g usually need neither.
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Who can apply
Every drone that weighs 250 g or more must be registered, whether it was bought ready to fly, built from a kit or custom-built.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
Drones under 250 g do not need to be registered, unless something attached to them, such as a camera, brings the weight to 250 g or more.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
Anyone flying a drone with an operating weight from 250 g up to 150 kg must hold a drone pilot certificate. Getting one includes passing at least one online exam.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
Steps
Register online through the Drone Management Portal. It takes about 3 minutes. Have the purchase date, the make, model, serial number and type of drone, and a credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
What you need
Carry your drone pilot certificate, printed or electronic, every time you fly.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
How long it takes
The certificate of registration is issued online right away.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
The certificate does not expire, but before each flight you must have passed an exam or flight review, or done approved training, within the previous 24 months.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
Good to know
Mark your drone clearly with its registration number, using a permanent marker, a permanent label or engraving.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
Flying without meeting the registration and marking rules can bring a fine: $5,000 for recreational users and $25,000 for commercial users.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
Questions people ask
Do I need to register a drone under 250 g?
No. Drones under 250 g do not need to be registered unless an attachment, like a camera, brings the operating weight to 250 g or more.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
How do I get a drone licence in Canada?
Find the category of operation you will fly in, then pass the matching online exam: the Small Basic Exam for basic operations, the Advanced Exam for advanced operations, or two exams for Level 1 complex operations.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
What happens if I fail the drone exam?
Wait 24 hours and try again. You can retake the online exam as many times as you need, but each attempt costs the same fee.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
Does a drone pilot certificate expire?
No, but you must be able to show that you passed an exam or flight review, or completed approved training, in the last 24 months whenever you fly.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
What is the fine for flying an unregistered drone?
Transport Canada lists fines of $5,000 for recreational users and $25,000 for commercial users who fly without meeting the registration requirements.
Source: tc.canada.cachecked #
Cite this page
Canada Service Map, "Drone licence and drone registration in Canada", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/drone