Part 107 Rules Summary
Updated October 27, 2026
Regulations are the first section of the Part 107 knowledge test, and they’re the rules you’ll fly by every day as a remote pilot. Here’s a plain-English summary of the main operating rules in 14 CFR Part 107, followed by free practice questions.
This is a study summary. The regulation itself is the final word, and the FAA can change it.
Operating limits (§ 107.51)
| Limit | Rule |
|---|---|
| Maximum groundspeed | 87 knots (100 mph) |
| Maximum altitude | 400 feet above ground level, or higher only within 400 feet of a structure and no more than 400 feet above its top |
| Minimum flight visibility | 3 statute miles from the control station |
| Distance from clouds | At least 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontally |
Other key rules
- Visual line of sight (§ 107.31): you, or a visual observer, must be able to see the drone with unaided eyes (glasses or contact lenses are fine) for the whole flight.
- Right of way (§ 107.37): a drone must give way to all other aircraft and may not pass over, under or ahead of them unless well clear.
- Moving vehicles (§ 107.25): you may not fly from a moving aircraft, and may fly from a moving land or water vehicle only over a sparsely populated area and not while carrying someone else’s property for hire.
- Registration (§ 107.13): drones flown under Part 107 must be registered with the FAA and marked with their registration number, whatever their weight.
- Weight: a small unmanned aircraft weighs less than 55 pounds at takeoff, including everything on board.
- Pilot age: you must be at least 16 to hold a remote pilot certificate.
Accident reporting (§ 107.9)
Within 10 calendar days, report to the FAA any operation that causes serious injury or loss of consciousness, or damage to property (other than the drone) over $500 to repair or replace.
Waivers (§ 107.205)
Some rules can be waived with an FAA certificate of waiver, including flying from a moving vehicle, beyond visual line of sight, more than one drone at a time, over people and over moving vehicles, in certain airspace, and the operating limits above. See also operations over people and night operations.
Free Part 107 rules practice questions
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What is the maximum groundspeed for a small drone under Part 107?Answer: ASection 107.51 limits groundspeed to 87 knots, which is 100 miles per hour.
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A drone flight causes $350 of damage to a parked car. Must it be reported to the FAA?Answer: CProperty damage must be reported only if repair or replacement costs more than $500 (not counting the drone itself). Serious injury or loss of consciousness must always be reported within 10 calendar days.
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Which drones flown under Part 107 must be registered with the FAA?Answer: CThe 0.55-pound exception applies only to recreational flying. Every drone flown under Part 107 must be registered and marked.
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Who has the right of way between a small drone and a helicopter?Answer: DSection 107.37 requires a small drone to yield the right of way to all aircraft and to stay well clear of them.
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May a remote pilot fly a drone from a moving car?Answer: BSection 107.25 allows flying from a moving land or water vehicle only over sparsely populated areas and not while delivering someone else's property for compensation. Flying from a moving aircraft is never allowed.
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A drone is inspecting a 600-foot tower. What is the highest it may fly?Answer: CWithin a 400-foot radius of a structure, a drone may fly up to 400 feet above the structure's top: 600 + 400 = 1,000 feet above ground level.
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Within how many days must a remote pilot report to the FAA an accident that causes serious injury or loss of consciousness?Answer: CUnder 14 CFR 107.9, accidents involving serious injury, loss of consciousness, or damage over $500 to property other than the drone must be reported within 10 days.
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What is the maximum total weight of a small unmanned aircraft under Part 107, including payload?Answer: BA small unmanned aircraft weighs less than 55 pounds at takeoff, including everything on board or attached.
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How many small unmanned aircraft may one remote pilot operate at the same time under Part 107, without a waiver?Answer: C14 CFR 107.35 allows a person to operate only one small unmanned aircraft at a time, unless a waiver is granted.
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Under Part 107, a person may not act as a remote pilot within how many hours of drinking alcohol?Answer: B14 CFR 107.27 applies the same alcohol rules as manned aviation: no flying within 8 hours of drinking alcohol, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or more.
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How old must a person be to receive a remote pilot certificate?Answer: BYou must be at least 16 to get a remote pilot certificate. You can take the knowledge test at 14.
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To operate at night under Part 107, a small drone must have:Answer: D14 CFR 107.29 requires anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles for night operations, and the remote pilot must have completed the updated knowledge test or training.
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Which Part 107 rule can NOT be waived?Answer: ARules such as night operations, visual line of sight and operations over people can be waived under 14 CFR 107.205. The ban on carrying hazardous materials (107.36) isn't on the waivable list.
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What may the FAA ask a remote pilot to present during an inspection?Answer: BUnder 14 CFR 107.7, the remote pilot must, on request, present their remote pilot certificate and other required records, and allow the FAA to inspect or test the drone.
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A visual observer (VO) under Part 107 is used to:Answer: CA visual observer helps keep watch on the drone and nearby air traffic and must be able to communicate with the remote pilot in command. The drone must still stay within visual line of sight.
Pass the FAA Part 107 drone test on your first try
- All 308 questions across regulations, airspace, weather, loading and operations
- An explanation for every answer, with the rule or FAA source behind it
- Questions on the real test's figures: the FAA's sectional charts, METARs, TAFs and load factor chart, zoomable on any screen