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What is Remote ID?

Remote ID is a technology that broadcasts information about your drone in a standardized manner. This information includes current drone location, takeoff location, control station location, and identification information. It's often compared to a "digital license plate."

This information can be received over short-range Bluetooth and WiFi devices used by the FAA and/or law enforcement to ensure airspace compliance. It does not include owner information, just an ID number. The FAA can provide registrant information to law enforcement if necessary.

With the explosive proliferation of drones in the U.S., Remote ID is meant to improve safety in airspace shared by both manned and unmanned aircraft. It's also a necessary step for implementing BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) operations.

Two types of Remote ID

There are two types of Remote ID: Standard and Alternative.

• Standard Remote ID is built-in to your drone. Newer commercially available drones have been manufactured with this technology.
• Alternative Remote ID refers to an aftermarket module affixed to your drone. Older drones and those without the technology built in will require an aftermarket module.

We'll see how to check this and where to get aftermarket modules later.

When is Remote ID required for drones?

Compliance date

The final compliance date for drones was March 16th, 2024. But do you need to comply with the Remote ID rules at all?

Recreational vs Commercial

All drones that require registration - those used for Part 107 and any drone between 0.55 and 55 pounds - must comply with Remote ID. This also includes foreign civil drones.

• Recreational pilots  - if your drone is between 0.55 and 55 pounds, you must comply with Remote ID.
• Part 107 pilots  - you must comply with Remote ID.

Types of airspace

It doesn't really matter where you fly, Remote ID is required in U.S. airspace. This includes controlled airspace (Class E, D, C, and B) and special-use airspace. Remote ID is also required in uncontrolled airspace (Class G).

The exception to this is FRIAs. FAA-Recognized Identification Areas are specially designated areas where pilots can fly drones without Remote ID. Think of these as like hobby RC airfields. You can explore a map of FRIAs on the FAA's ArcGIS website.

How to get Remote ID

Now that you understand if you need Remote ID, how do you get it? 

First, check if your drone already has Remote ID. If it doesn't, you'll need an aftermarket module.

1. Check which drones come with Remote ID

Your drone may already have Remote ID built-in - Standard Remote ID.

Go to the FAA's Declaration of Compliance website and search for your drone model or "Filter" by "RID" (Remote ID) to see what's compliant.

If your drone is on here, you're good to fly. Just ensure your firmware has been updated, if necessary.

2. Get an aftermarket (Alternative) module

If you don't see your drone on the list and it was manufactured before 2022, it's more than likely you'll need to get an aftermarket Remote ID broadcast module.

There are two types of aftermarket Remote ID broadcast modules - standalone and add-on.

If you're flying most consumer drones, like DJI Phantoms or Mavics, Autel, etc., you'll need a standalone module. These modules have built-in power sources and GPS receivers. They operate independently of your drone's systems.

You can use the same Declaration of Compliance website listed above to search for current, compliant Remote ID broadcast modules. Some of them include:

• Z-RID Lite
• Dronetag Mini
• Dronetag Beacon
• BlueMark db120
• Pierce Aerospace B1

Unfortunately, this list doesn't differentiate standalone from add-on modules.

Many home-built/FPV drones can use add-on modules. These use your drone's power supply and GPS and only contain what's necessary to comply with Remote ID. Use the same list to find these. They include:

• Dronetag BS
• Dronetag DRI
• Spektrum Sky

If you have an add-on module, you'll have to "Add Device" and enter its information in the FAADroneZone (linked below) just as you did when you entered your drone. Here, however, you'll add a "Remote ID Broadcast Module" as the "UAS Type".

3. Update your Registration

This step isn't necessary with an aftermarket broadcast module if you've added the RID module as a new device, as described in the above paragraph.

With standard built-in RID, the final step is ensuring your registration shows your Remote ID status.

Go to the FAADroneZone website and access your drone inventory list. "Edit" your registration information and ensure it shows that your drone has Remote ID, which type, and the Remote ID serial number. 

• For most Standard RID drones, the Remote ID serial number can be found in the aircraft's Remote ID menu page. 
• For broadcast modules, the manufacturer will provide you with the RID serial number.

Error message - Invalid serial number

Some people have been getting an "Invalid serial number" error when registering Remote ID.

That's because your Remote ID serial number must match the format on the RID Declaration of Compliance (DOC).

Take the example below for a Mavic Air 2S. The DOC covers a range of serial numbers, all 20 characters long, starting with 1581F. But the Air 2S serial number on the drone is only 14 characters and starts with 3YT.

So you need to do two things when editing your serial number:

1. Add "1581F" to the beginning
2. Add a "0" (zero) at the end

This will make it 20 characters and match the format of the RID DOC for the Air 2S.

The easiest way to find this information is to go to your drone's Remote ID menu; the serial number in that menu should be in the proper format.

That's a summary of how to get Remote ID for your drone now that compliance is mandatory. Remote ID and Operations Over People rules are on the Part 107 test, and are covered in our Remote Pilot Test Prep Course. The FAA is enforcing this now; ensure you're compliant so you don't get in trouble!