Part 107 Rules: A Summary for the Test

Regulations make up 48% of the FAA Remote Pilot knowledge test (PSI UAG bulletin, p. 4). This summary follows the 14 CFR Part 107 text on eCFR as of October 2026.

Operating limits (§ 107.51)

The remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the controls must stay within these limits (14 CFR 107.51):

• Speed: groundspeed no more than 87 knots (100 mph).
• Altitude: no higher than 400 feet above ground level, unless the aircraft stays within a 400-foot radius of a structure and no higher than 400 feet above the structure’s immediate uppermost limit.
• Visibility: flight visibility from the control station of at least 3 statute miles.
• Clouds: at least 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.

Visual line of sight and visual observers (§§ 107.31, 107.33)

With vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, the remote pilot in command, the visual observer (if used) and the person at the controls must be able to see the aircraft throughout the flight to know its location, determine its attitude, altitude and direction, observe the airspace for traffic or hazards, and determine that it does not endanger anyone’s life or property. Throughout the flight, that ability must be exercised either by the remote pilot in command and the person at the controls, or by a visual observer (14 CFR 107.31).

With a visual observer, all three must keep effective communication at all times and coordinate to scan the airspace and watch the aircraft directly (14 CFR 107.33).

One aircraft at a time (§ 107.35)

No one may manipulate the controls of, or act as remote pilot in command or visual observer for, more than one unmanned aircraft at the same time (14 CFR 107.35).

Moving vehicles (§§ 107.25, 107.145)

You may not operate from a moving aircraft. From a moving land or water-borne vehicle you may operate only over a sparsely populated area, and only if the aircraft is not transporting another person’s property for compensation or hire (14 CFR 107.25). Flying over people inside moving vehicles has separate conditions (14 CFR 107.145).

Hazardous materials (§ 107.36)

A small unmanned aircraft may not carry hazardous material as defined in 49 CFR 171.8 (14 CFR 107.36). This rule cannot be waived under § 107.205.

Alcohol and drugs (§§ 107.27, 107.57, 107.59)

The person at the controls, the remote pilot in command and the visual observer must comply with §§ 91.17 and 91.19 (14 CFR 107.27). As AC 107-2A explains, you may not serve if you consumed alcohol within the preceding 8 hours, are under the influence of alcohol, have a blood alcohol concentration of .04 percent or greater, or are using a drug that affects your mental or physical capabilities (AC 107-2A, para. 5.16).

A drug-related conviction, or refusing an alcohol test requested by a law enforcement officer under § 91.17(c), is grounds for denying an application for up to one year or for suspending or revoking a certificate (14 CFR 107.57; 14 CFR 107.59).

Right-of-way (§ 107.37)

A small unmanned aircraft must yield the right of way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles: give way, and do not pass over, under or ahead of them unless well clear. You also may not fly so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard (14 CFR 107.37).

Airspace (§§ 107.41–107.47)

• Controlled airspace: you need prior ATC authorization to operate in Class B, C or D airspace, or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport (14 CFR 107.41). Part 107 pilots request it through LAANC or DroneZone (AIM 11-1-2). Class G airspace needs no further authorization or waiver if you meet the Part 107 requirements (FAA drone FAQ).
• Airports: do not interfere with operations and traffic patterns at any airport, heliport or seaplane base (14 CFR 107.43).
• Prohibited and restricted areas: only with permission from the using or controlling agency (14 CFR 107.45).
• Flight restrictions by NOTAM: comply with §§ 91.137 through 91.145 and 99.7 (14 CFR 107.47). Practice: airspace questions.

Night and civil twilight (§ 107.29)

• Night: allowed only if the remote pilot in command completed an initial knowledge test or training under § 107.65 after April 6, 2021, and the aircraft has lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles with a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision. You may dim the lighting for safety, but not turn it off.
• Civil twilight: the same anti-collision lighting is required. Except in Alaska, civil twilight is the 30 minutes before official sunrise and the 30 minutes after official sunset (14 CFR 107.29).

Operations over people (§ 107.39 and subpart D)

You may fly over a person only if that person is directly participating in the operation, is under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle that can provide reasonable protection, or the operation meets one of four categories (14 CFR 107.39):

• Category 1: the aircraft weighs 0.55 pounds or less, including everything on board, and has no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin (§ 107.110).
• Category 2: the aircraft would not cause injury as severe as a transfer of 11 foot-pounds of kinetic energy from a rigid object, has no lacerating exposed rotating parts or safety defects, is listed on an FAA-accepted declaration of compliance and is labeled (§ 107.115, § 107.120).
• Category 3: the same with a 25 foot-pound threshold (§ 107.130). No flight over open-air assemblies; flight over people only within or over a closed- or restricted-access site where everyone is on notice, or without sustained flight over anyone who is not participating or protected (§ 107.125).
• Category 4: the aircraft has an airworthiness certificate issued under part 21 and is operated within operating limitations that do not prohibit operations over people (§ 107.140).

Under Categories 1, 2 and 4, sustained flight over open-air assemblies also requires Remote ID under § 89.110 or § 89.115(a) (§§ 107.110(b), 107.115(b), 107.140(a)(2)).

Safety event reporting (§ 107.9)

No later than 10 calendar days after the operation, the remote pilot in command must report to the FAA any operation involving at least serious injury to any person or any loss of consciousness, or damage to property other than the small unmanned aircraft. Property damage is not reportable if the repair cost (materials and labor) does not exceed $500 or, for a total loss, the fair market value does not exceed $500 (14 CFR 107.9).

Reports can be filed electronically through faa.gov/uas, by phone to an FAA Regional Operations Center, or with a Flight Standards office (AC 107-2A, para. 4.4.1).

Remote ID (part 89)

After September 16, 2023, no one may operate an unmanned aircraft unless the operation meets § 89.110 (standard Remote ID aircraft) or § 89.115 (broadcast module or FAA-recognized identification area), unless the FAA authorizes otherwise (14 CFR 89.105). See Remote ID for Part 107 pilots.

Waivers (§§ 107.200, 107.205)

The FAA may issue a certificate of waiver allowing a deviation from the rules listed in § 107.205 if it finds the operation can be safely conducted under the waiver’s terms. The request must contain a complete description of the operation and a safety justification (14 CFR 107.200). These sections can be waived (14 CFR 107.205):

• § 107.25 (moving vehicle or aircraft) and § 107.31 (visual line of sight), but never to carry another person’s property for compensation or hire;
• § 107.29(a)(2) and (b) (anti-collision lighting at night and in civil twilight);
• § 107.33 (visual observer), § 107.35 (multiple aircraft), § 107.37(a) (yielding right of way);
• § 107.39 (over people), § 107.41 (certain airspace), § 107.51 (operating limitations), § 107.145 (over moving vehicles).

Other rules to know

• Carry your remote pilot certificate and identification, and present them on request to the FAA, the NTSB, the TSA or any federal, state or local law enforcement officer (§ 107.7).
• Register the aircraft before operating under Part 107 (§ 107.13; AC 107-2A, para. 5.4), and check before each flight that it is in a condition for safe operation (§ 107.15).

Next, test yourself with the regulations questions or a timed mock exam.