New Year, New Rules: The UK’s 2026 Drone Regulation Shake-up (And What It Means for Canada)

krdroneworks
Jan 3
3 min read

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 03 Jan 26

As we ring in January 2026, drone pilots in the UK are waking up to a transformed regulatory landscape. After years of transition, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has officially moved to a permanent framework that prioritizes hardware standards and digital accountability.

But for those of us across the pond, these changes raise a familiar question: Is Canada next?

Here is the breakdown of the key changes that hit the UK on January 1, 2026, and how they compare to Canada’s own massive regulatory update from November 2025.

1. Class Marks and "Certified" Hardware

The UK has officially moved away from a "one-size-fits-all" approach. New drones sold in the UK must now carry a specific UK Class Mark (UK0 to UK6). This mark replaces the manufacturer’s guesswork with strict technical standards for noise, safety buffers, and electronic identification.

The Rule: A drone’s class dictates exactly where it can fly (e.g., UK0 can fly over people; UK2 requires a 30m buffer).
Canada's Status: Canada still relies on the "Safety Assurance" list for Advanced operations. However, Transport Canada is increasingly aligning with ICAO and JARUS standards. Moving toward a standardized hardware certification (like the UK) is likely the next step to simplify life for pilots who currently have to check declaration lists manually.

2. The 100g Registration "Floor"

In a major shift, the UK has dropped the registration threshold. Previously, the limit was 250g (matching Canada).

The Rule: As of January 1, 2026, anyone flying a drone 100g or heavier must pass a theory test and obtain a Flyer ID. If it has a camera, you also need an Operator ID.
Canada's Status: Canada’s <250g "Micro" category remains the "wild west" for now. However, as sub-250g drones become more capable (like the 4K-equipped DJI Neo 2), privacy groups are pressuring Transport Canada to lower this limit.

3. Remote ID: The "Digital License Plate"

2026 marks the official beginning of the mandatory Remote ID (RID) rollout in the UK.

The Rule: All UK-class drones (except the tiny UK0 and UK4) must broadcast their location and pilot ID in real-time via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Legacy drones have until 2028 to retrofit.
Canada's Status: It’s coming. Transport Canada has spent 2025 laying the groundwork for RID. Given that the US FAA already requires it, Canada will likely mandate RID for all "Advanced" and most "Basic" operations by 2027 to ensure cross-border consistency.

4. Mandatory Green Flashing Lights at Night

Visibility is now a legal requirement. To distinguish drones from manned aircraft or stars, the UK now requires a flashing green strobe for all night operations in the Open and Specific categories.

Canada's Status: Very Likely. Current Canadian law (CAR 901.39) only requires drones to be "visible." Standardizing a specific color like green would help bush pilots and NavCanada controllers identify drones instantly.

Comparison: UK vs. Canada (2026 Status)

Feature	UK (As of Jan 1, 2026)	Canada (As of Jan 1, 2026)
Registration Threshold	100g (with camera)	250g
Remote ID	Mandatory for new Class drones	In development (expected 2027)
Night Lighting	Mandatory Green Strobe	Any "sufficient" lighting
BVLOS Operations	Requires Specific Authorization	Routine for "Level 1 Complex"
Medium Drones	Under "Specific" category	Permitted up to 150kg (VLOS)

5. Greater Flight Freedom: The "Risk-Based" Approach

It isn't all about restrictions. The UK’s 2026 rules grant more freedom to pilots with Class-Marked drones. For example, a UK2 drone pilot with an A2 CofC can now fly as close as 5 meters to people in "Low Speed Mode."

Canada is actually ahead of the curve here. Our November 4, 2025 update introduced:

Sheltered Operations: Flying near buildings in controlled airspace without an SFOC.
Lower-Risk BVLOS: Flying out of sight in uncontrolled airspace with a "Level 1 Complex" certificate.
Medium Drones: Professional use of drones up to 150kg without the 80 pages of paperwork previously required.

The Verdict: Will Canada Follow?

Canada and the UK are currently in a "regulatory race." While the UK is leading on Hardware Standards and 100g Limits, Canada is currently the global leader in BVLOS Integration and Commercial Flexibility.

If you are a Canadian pilot, 2026 is the year to keep your eyes on the horizon. The UK’s experiment with Green Lights and Remote ID is the likely blueprint for our own 2027 Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) update.