UK Slashes Drone Registration Threshold to 100 Grams – DJI Mini 5 Pro Owners Must Comply by January 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, the United Kingdom will become the strictest drone regulator in the Western world by requiring registration for any drone weighing over 100 grams. The new rule drops the current 250-gram threshold by more than half, impacting virtually every consumer drone on the market – including the recently launched DJI Mini 5 Pro.

The timing couldn’t be more relevant for Mini 5 Pro owners, as the drone already weighs 252-253 grams with its standard battery, putting it well above both the current and future UK limits.

Flyer ID Now Mandatory for Nearly All Drones

Under the new UK Drone Code changes, anyone flying a drone over 100 grams (3.5 ounces) must obtain a Flyer ID from the Civil Aviation Authority. The good news: the Flyer ID is free, valid for five years, and requires only a 75% score on an online multiple-choice test. Pilots must be at least 13 years old to register independently.

The 100-gram threshold captures nearly every camera drone on the market. DJI’s entire consumer lineup – from the Mini series to the Mavic and Air families – will require registration. Even lightweight competitors like the HoverAir X1 (125 grams) and many FPV racing drones fall into the new regulated category.

Remote ID and Updated Flight Permissions

The January 2026 update also introduces Remote ID requirements for drones with UK class marks (UK1, UK2, and UK3). Most modern consumer drones already include Remote ID functionality, mirroring similar requirements in the European Union.

The CAA is also clarifying that pilots who want to fly outside standard rules – such as over people or buildings – will no longer be able to obtain general authorization from the regulator. However, individual agreements between pilots and participants remain permissible for specific scenarios like film production.

DJI Mini 5 Pro Already Exceeds the Limit

For DJI Mini 5 Pro owners specifically, the UK’s new 100-gram rule changes nothing in practical terms. Multiple independent measurements confirm the Mini 5 Pro weighs between 252-253 grams with its standard Intelligent Flight Battery, placing it above both the old and new UK thresholds.

This weight has already created regulatory headaches globally. While the European Union confirmed the Mini 5 Pro retains C0 classification despite exceeding 250 grams, and Transport Canada maintains its microdrone status, the UK’s stricter approach leaves no ambiguity – registration is mandatory.

Will Other Countries Follow the UK’s Lead?

The UK now joins Japan as one of only two major markets requiring drone registration at 100 grams. Japan implemented its 100-gram threshold earlier, but most Western nations continue using 250 grams as the dividing line between hobby toys and regulated aircraft.

The United States Federal Aviation Administration maintains its 0.55-pound (250-gram) exemption for recreational drones. Canada’s Transport Canada and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency show no signs of following Britain’s more restrictive path.

The 250-gram standard has become deeply embedded in global drone design and regulation. Manufacturers from DJI to Autel have built entire product lines around staying below this threshold, and changing it would ripple through international commerce and aviation agreements.

DroneXL’s Take

The UK’s move to 100 grams represents a significant regulatory shift that deserves attention from the global drone community. While the free Flyer ID requirement isn’t particularly burdensome – it’s essentially a basic safety knowledge test – the signal it sends about regulatory direction is worth noting.

Britain’s decision to go it alone on the 100-gram threshold creates yet another layer of complexity for drone manufacturers and international travelers. We’ve already seen confusion around the Mini 5 Pro’s weight variance, with different regulators taking different approaches. Adding country-specific weight limits below the internationally recognized 250-gram standard only compounds this fragmentation.

For U.S. and Canadian pilots, this remains a UK-specific issue with little immediate risk of spreading. The FAA has shown no interest in lowering its threshold, and Transport Canada just reaffirmed its 250-gram microdrone classification for the Mini 5 Pro despite weight concerns. The European Union, dealing with its own certification complexities, seems unlikely to follow suit.

The more interesting question is whether this signals a broader philosophical shift in how regulators view small drones. As manufacturers like DJI and HoverAir pack increasingly sophisticated sensors and capabilities into sub-250-gram platforms, regulators may feel pressure to tighten oversight. The UK’s 100-gram rule could be testing the waters for that conversation.

For now, if you’re flying in the UK with anything more capable than a toy drone, plan to register. And if you’re a Mini 5 Pro owner? You were registering anyway.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.