# What to know before buying a drone?

**Know the FAA rules first: registration at 250 g, the TRUST test, and Remote ID.** Before you buy a drone, know the rules it comes with. Register any drone weighing 250 grams or more with the FAA ($5, valid three years); a recreational drone under 250 grams is exempt. Pass the free TRUST safety test for recreational flying and carry proof. Make sure the drone broadcasts Remote ID. Flying for money instead needs a Part 107 certificate. Also know that new DJI models can no longer clear FCC authorization for US sale, and that spare batteries are a real added cost. Sourced throughout.

Last verified Jul 26, 2026. 5 sources.

## Short answer

The most important things to know before buying a drone are the legal steps that come with it, because they are easy to meet but surprising if you learn them after the drone arrives.

Start with weight, because it decides everything. Any drone that weighs 250 grams (0.55 lb) or more must be registered with the FAA for a $5 fee that lasts three years, while a drone under 250 grams flown purely for recreation is exempt, which is why so many beginner and travel drones are built to 249 grams. For recreational flying you must also pass the free TRUST safety test, which covers airspace, weather, and emergency procedures, and carry proof whenever you fly. And your drone must comply with Remote ID, the system that broadcasts its location and takeoff point during flight. If you plan to fly for money, including posting monetized footage, that is commercial and requires an FAA Part 107 certificate instead.

Two buying realities round it out. First, availability: new DJI models can no longer clear FCC authorization for US sale, so if you are eyeing the market leader, check what is actually buyable. Second, budget beyond the drone: a single battery lasts only 20 to 35 minutes, so most pilots buy spares, and accessories add up. Know these before you buy and there are no surprises after. DEPLOY reports the rules and the reality, with sources, and does not recommend a product.

## The rules and realities to know first

Each row is a sourced rule or buying reality. The FAA rules are the ones people learn too late; the availability and battery realities round out the picture.

| What matters | Status | As of | Who (attributed) | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Register any drone that weighs 250 g (0.55 lb) or more. My Dear Drone's rules summary states any drone from 250 g (0.55 lb) up to 55 lb must be registered with the FAA for a $5 fee, valid three years, and that a drone under 250 g flown purely for recreation is exempt from registration. | FAA rule | Jul 26, 2026 (as reported) | My Dear Drone, summarizing FAA rules | [My Dear Drone](https://mydeardrone.com/laws/) |
| Registered drones must broadcast Remote ID. Remote ID, which the summary describes as mandatory since 2023, requires a drone to continuously broadcast its location, altitude, speed, and takeoff point, via a built-in module, an add-on, or by flying only at an FAA-recognized identification area. | FAA rule | Jul 26, 2026 (as reported) | My Dear Drone, summarizing FAA rules | [My Dear Drone](https://mydeardrone.com/laws/) |
| Recreational flyers must pass the free TRUST test. The summary states recreational pilots must pass the free Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), which covers airspace, weather, and emergency procedures, and carry proof of passage whenever they fly. | FAA rule | Jul 26, 2026 (as reported) | My Dear Drone, summarizing FAA rules | [My Dear Drone](https://mydeardrone.com/laws/) |
| Flying for money needs a Part 107 certificate. Any flight flown for compensation requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate: the summary lists a minimum age of 16, a $175 exam, a TSA background check, and a 24-month validity. Posting monetized footage counts as commercial. | FAA rule | Jul 26, 2026 (as reported) | My Dear Drone, summarizing FAA rules | [My Dear Drone](https://mydeardrone.com/laws/) |
| New DJI models can no longer clear FCC authorization for US sale. As of the most recent reporting (rechecked July 2026), DJI is on the FCC Covered List, so new DJI models cannot get the FCC authorization needed for legal US import and sale, though drones already authorized remain legal to buy and fly. See the dedicated DJI answer for the current, dated detail. | Regulatory status | Jul 22, 2026 (as reported) | DroneDJ and Reason, reporting the FCC action | [DroneDJ](https://dronedj.com/2026/01/08/us-dji-drone-ban-update/) (2026-01-08), [Reason](https://reason.com/2026/07/22/fcc-wants-to-ban-drones-it-already-approved-for-sale/) (2026-07-22) |
| Budget beyond the drone: one battery lasts only 20 to 35 minutes. A modern camera drone flies roughly 20 to 35 minutes per charge, per The Drone Girl's figures, so most pilots buy two to four spare batteries, which UAV Coach lists among the normal added costs. | Buying reality | Jul 26, 2026 (as reported) | The Drone Girl and UAV Coach | [The Drone Girl](https://www.thedronegirl.com/2024/10/08/the-best-drones-for-beginners/) (2024-10-08), [UAV Coach](https://uavcoach.com/how-much-drone-cost/) |

## The legal steps are easy but easy to miss

Each stance is attributed. None of these steps is hard; the mistake is learning them after the drone arrives.

- **What the FAA requires: Register at 250 g, TRUST, Remote ID.** Any drone 250 grams or more must be registered ($5, three years); recreational flyers must pass the free TRUST test and carry proof; and registered drones must broadcast Remote ID. Attributed to the FAA rules summary, not a DEPLOY interpretation.
- **The buying realities: Availability and spare batteries.** New DJI models can no longer clear FCC authorization for US sale, so check what is buyable, and a single battery lasts only 20 to 35 minutes, so budget for spares. Attributed to current reporting and the buying guides.
- **Where it stands: Know it before you buy, not after.** None of these steps is hard, but each is a surprise if learned late. DEPLOY reports the rules and realities, with sources, so you buy with clear eyes, and it recommends no product.

## How we know this

- [My Dear Drone](https://mydeardrone.com/laws/)
- [DroneDJ](https://dronedj.com/2026/01/08/us-dji-drone-ban-update/) (2026-01-08)
- [Reason](https://reason.com/2026/07/22/fcc-wants-to-ban-drones-it-already-approved-for-sale/) (2026-07-22)
- [The Drone Girl](https://www.thedronegirl.com/2024/10/08/the-best-drones-for-beginners/) (2024-10-08)
- [UAV Coach](https://uavcoach.com/how-much-drone-cost/)

## Common questions

### What do I need to know before buying a drone?

Know the FAA rules that come with it: register any drone 250 grams or more ($5, three years), pass the free TRUST test for recreational flying and carry proof, and comply with Remote ID. Flying for money needs a Part 107 certificate. Also know that new DJI models can no longer clear FCC authorization for US sale, and that spare batteries and accessories are a real added cost. These are sourced facts, not a product recommendation.

### Do I have to register a drone with the FAA?

It depends on weight. Any drone weighing 250 grams (0.55 lb) or more must be registered with the FAA for a $5 fee, valid three years. A drone under 250 grams flown purely for recreation is exempt, which is why many beginner and travel drones are built to 249 grams. If you fly under Part 107 for commercial work, registration is required regardless of weight.

### What is the TRUST test?

TRUST is the Recreational UAS Safety Test, a free online test the FAA requires recreational drone flyers to pass. It covers airspace, weather, and emergency procedures, and you must carry proof of passage (digital or printed) whenever you fly. It is not a pilot license, just a basic safety knowledge check, and it is free, so it is one of the simplest steps before you start flying recreationally.

### What is Remote ID and does my drone need it?

Remote ID is a system, mandatory since 2023, that has a drone continuously broadcast its location, altitude, speed, and takeoff point during flight, so it can be identified. A registered drone must comply, through a built-in module, an add-on broadcaster, or by flying only at an FAA-recognized identification area. When buying, check that the drone has built-in Remote ID, which most modern models do.

### Do I need a license to fly a drone recreationally?

Not a pilot license. For recreational flying you must pass the free TRUST test and carry proof, register the drone if it weighs 250 grams or more, and follow Remote ID and airspace rules. A formal certificate, FAA Part 107, is required only if you fly for money, including monetized content. So a hobby flyer has rules to follow but no license exam; a commercial flyer needs Part 107.

## Keep reading

- [Which eVTOL company is closest to FAA certification?](/evtol-faa-certification-tracker.md): Drones & eVTOL
- [Is drone delivery legal?](/is-drone-delivery-legal.md): Drones & eVTOL
- [What's the best drone to buy right now?](/whats-the-best-drone-to-buy.md): Drones & eVTOL
- [What's the best drone for beginners?](/best-drone-for-beginners.md): Drones & eVTOL
- [All verified answers](/answers.md): Every standing question DEPLOY tracks.
- [Drones on the record](/drones.md): Every verified drone maker and model DEPLOY tracks.

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