Drone Laws in Canada 2026: What's Changed and What You Need to Know
A complete guide to flying drones legally in Canada in 2026. Covers registration, pilot certificates, flight restrictions, and recent regulatory changes from Transport Canada.
Got a new drone? Before you send it skyward, you need to know the rules. Canada has some of the clearest (and strictest) drone regulations in the world, and 2026 brought a few important updates.
Here's everything you need to fly legally — whether you're a hobbyist with a DJI Mini or a professional with a Mavic 3 Pro.
The Basics: Weight Categories Matter
Transport Canada divides drones into categories based on weight. This determines what rules apply to you:
Under 250g (Micro Drones)
- No registration required
- No pilot certificate required
- Must fly safely and not endanger aircraft or people
- Cannot fly in controlled airspace without authorization
- Examples: DJI Mini 4 Pro, DJI Mini 3, Mini SE
This is why the DJI Mini series is so popular in Canada — they're designed to stay just under 250g to avoid registration requirements.
250g to 25kg (Small Drones)
- Must register your drone ($5 fee, valid for 3 years)
- Must have a pilot certificate (Basic or Advanced)
- Must mark your drone with registration number
- Must carry proof of registration and certificate while flying
- Examples: DJI Air 3, Mavic 3 Pro, Autel EVO series
Over 25kg
- Requires a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC)
- Treated more like traditional aircraft
- Most hobbyists won't encounter this category
Pilot Certificates Explained
If your drone is 250g or heavier, you need a pilot certificate. There are two types:
Basic Operations Certificate
- Cost: Free (just pass the exam)
- Exam: 35 multiple-choice questions, 65% to pass
- Allows: Flying in uncontrolled airspace, 30m horizontal from bystanders
- Study time: Most people need 4-8 hours
Advanced Operations Certificate
- Cost: Free exam + flight review with examiner (~$100-300)
- Exam: 50 multiple-choice questions, 80% to pass
- Allows: Flying in controlled airspace (with authorization), over people, closer to bystanders
- Requires: In-person flight review to demonstrate skills
My recommendation: Start with Basic. You can do 90% of recreational flying with it. Only get Advanced if you need to fly in controlled airspace or for commercial work.
Where You Can (and Can't) Fly
Always Allowed (with appropriate certificate)
- Your own private property (with landowner permission)
- Public parks (unless municipally restricted)
- Rural areas away from airports
- Most Crown land
Restricted — Need Authorization
- Within 5.6 km of airports — Controlled airspace, need NAV CANADA authorization
- National parks — Need Parks Canada permit
- Near emergency scenes — Forest fires, accidents, police operations
- Over crowds or events — Concerts, sports, festivals
Prohibited
- Near aircraft (always give way to manned aircraft)
- Higher than 122m (400 ft) AGL
- At night without proper lighting (visible for 3 statute miles)
- Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without SFOC
- While impaired by alcohol or drugs
Pro tip: Use the NRC Drone Site Selection Tool (free web app) before every flight. It shows airspace restrictions for any location in Canada.
What's Changed in 2025-2026
Transport Canada updated several regulations. Here's what's new:
Remote ID Requirements (New for 2025)
- Drones manufactured after January 2025 must broadcast Remote ID
- This allows authorities to identify your drone in flight
- Most new DJI drones have this built-in
- Older drones: check if firmware updates add Remote ID support
Updated Airspace Authorization (NAV Drone App)
- NAV CANADA's NAV Drone app is now the official way to request controlled airspace access
- Real-time authorization for many controlled zones
- Some zones offer instant approval; others require advance notice
- The app is free and works across Canada
Stricter Penalties
- Individual fines up to $3,000 for minor violations
- Up to $15,000 for serious violations (flying near airports, interfering with aircraft)
- Corporations face fines up to $25,000
- Charges can include criminal code violations in extreme cases
Commercial Operations Simplified
- No separate commercial license needed — same pilot certificates
- If you follow Basic or Advanced rules, you can do paid work
- Must still comply with other business requirements (insurance, contracts, etc.)
How to Get Your Pilot Certificate
Here's the step-by-step process:
- Create a Drone Management Portal account at
tc.canada.ca/drone - Study the material — Transport Canada has a free study guide (TP 15263)
- Take the online exam — Basic is 35 questions, 90 minutes. Advanced is 50 questions, 60 minutes.
- Pass with 65% (Basic) or 80% (Advanced) — You can retake after 24 hours if you fail
- For Advanced: Book a flight review with a certified examiner
- Register your drone ($5, valid 3 years)
- Mark your drone with the registration number
The whole process takes a few hours for Basic, or a few weeks for Advanced if you need to schedule a flight review.
Insurance: Do You Need It?
Not legally required for recreational flying, but highly recommended.
- A $1,500 drone can cause thousands in property damage
- Liability insurance is cheap — often $100-200/year
- Some municipalities require it for park permits
- If you do any commercial work, insurance is essential
Options: Check with your home insurance provider (some cover drones), or get dedicated drone insurance from providers like Coverdrone or SkyWatch.
Common Scenarios
"I just got a DJI Mini 4 Pro"
Good news — it's under 250g. You don't need registration or a certificate. Just fly responsibly: don't go near airports, stay below 122m, keep it in sight, and don't fly over people.
"I want to fly my Mavic 3 at a cottage"
You'll need Basic pilot certificate and registration. Check the NRC Drone Site Selection Tool to make sure there's no restricted airspace. Most cottage country is uncontrolled airspace — you're good to go.
"I want to film a wedding"
For paid work, you need at least Basic certificate (Advanced if flying over the crowd or in controlled airspace). Get liability insurance — most wedding venues require it. You can charge for your services without any additional commercial license.
"I want to fly near the Toronto waterfront"
Toronto Island Airport creates controlled airspace over much of downtown Toronto. You'll need an Advanced certificate AND NAV CANADA authorization through the NAV Drone app. This can take days to arrange — plan ahead.
"I want to fly in Banff National Park"
National parks require a Parks Canada permit. These are typically only issued for research or commercial film production, not recreation. In practice, recreational drone flying is effectively prohibited in most national parks.
Essential Apps and Tools
- NRC Drone Site Selection Tool — Airspace checker (free web app)
- NAV Drone — Request controlled airspace authorization (iOS/Android)
- Drone Management Portal — Transport Canada's official registration/exam site
- UAV Forecast — Weather conditions for flying (wind, visibility, KP index)
- AirMap — Additional airspace info and flight logging
Quick Reference Card
Print this out or save it to your phone:
- Max altitude: 122m (400 ft) AGL
- Max speed: None specified, but fly safely
- Distance from airports: 5.6 km minimum (unless authorized)
- Distance from people (Basic): 30m horizontal
- Night flying: Allowed with lights visible from 3 statute miles
- Line of sight: Must maintain visual contact at all times
- Certificate valid: Lifetime (but may need recency training eventually)
- Registration valid: 3 years, $5 to renew
What Happens If You Break the Rules?
Transport Canada takes drone violations seriously:
- First offence (minor): Warning or fine up to $1,000
- Repeat offence: Fine up to $3,000 for individuals
- Serious violation (near airport, interfering with aircraft): Up to $15,000 and potential criminal charges
- Drone confiscation is possible in serious cases
Beyond fines, if you cause an incident, you could face civil lawsuits. It's not worth the risk — the rules aren't hard to follow.
Final Thoughts
Canada's drone regulations are actually pretty reasonable once you understand them. The key points:
- Under 250g? You're mostly free to fly (responsibly)
- 250g or heavier? Get your Basic certificate and register the drone
- Near airports or people? Need Advanced certificate and authorization
- Use the tools — NRC site selector and NAV Drone app are your friends
The regulations exist to keep everyone safe — including you, other aircraft, and people on the ground. Follow them, and you'll have years of trouble-free flying.
Have questions about a specific flight scenario? Drop a comment below.
