Can You Fly a Drone at Night in the UK?

Last updated: October 2026

Yes, you can fly a drone at night in the UK. Darkness does not make the flight illegal, but it makes distance, direction and height harder to judge. Obstacles disappear into the background and people may be less obvious from the air.

All the normal rules still apply, including the requirements for visual line of sight, airspace, height, people and registration. There is also a specific lighting rule: when flying at night in the Open Category, the aircraft must have an active green flashing light throughout the flight.

UK night drone rules at a glance

• Night flying is permitted in the UK.
• The normal rules for your aircraft and type of operation still apply.
• Open Category night flights require a green flashing light.
• The light must remain active for the whole flight.
• You must still maintain a direct visual line of sight (VLOS).
• A light does not make an unsuitable location safe.
• Keep  night flights short, close and simple.

Do you need a green flashing light to fly at night?

Yes. Since 1 January 2026, anyone flying a drone or model aircraft at night in the Open Category must ensure that a green flashing light is activated throughout the flight.

Some aircraft have a suitable green flashing light built in, but you should not assume that every factory-fitted light meets the requirement. Manufacturers of UK0 and UK4 class-marked aircraft are not required to include one as standard. C0, UK0, C4, UK4 and legacy aircraft may therefore need a suitable light to be securely fitted or retrofitted before they can be flown at night.

If you need to add a separate light, position it where it remains clearly visible from the ground without affecting the safe operation of the aircraft. The regulations do not specify a minimum brightness, flash frequency, visibility angle or illumination range, but you are responsible for keeping the light active and maintaining Visual Line of Sight throughout the flight.

Remember to include the light in the aircraft’s overall flying weight. If your drone is close to a weight threshold, even a small accessory could move it into a different category and change the rules that apply to your flight.

You can read the full requirement in the CAA guidance on flying at night.

Why does the light have to be green?

The light helps somebody on the ground distinguish the drone from a manned aircraft and supports visual line of sight when the aircraft’s body disappears against a dark sky.

Ordinary navigation or status lights do not necessarily meet the requirement. The green flashing light must remain active throughout the operation.

Can you maintain visual line of sight in the dark?

You must still be able to see the aircraft clearly enough to monitor its flight path and avoid other aircraft, people, vehicles, buildings and hazards.

Seeing one flashing point is not automatically enough. You need to understand where the drone is, how it is moving and what is happening around it. If you cannot judge that confidently, it is too far away or the conditions are unsuitable.

Keep the flight closer than you might in daylight. Use a familiar open site and a simple route. Do not rely on the camera feed instead of watching the aircraft and surrounding airspace. Remember, you are flying under visual line of sight (VLOS) rules. 

An observer can be helpful, but you remain responsible for the flight. FPV goggles have separate observer requirements.

What should you check before flying at night?

Pre- Site Survey and Risk Assessment:

• Airspace and Flight Restriction Zones. Thedronemap.com can help you review airspace and nearby hazards before setting off. Check it again shortly before flying in case the situation has changed.
• Relevant NOTAM information and temporary restrictions.
• Permission to take off and land from the site.
• Local byelaws or landowner rules.

Find out how to plan a drone flight before you leave home.

On-Site Survey and Risk Assessment: 

Plan the location while there is still enough light to understand the surroundings. Check:

• Weather, wind, fog and visibility.
• The green flashing light, including its attachment and operation.
• Flight batteries, controller and aircraft condition.
• Return-to-home height and failsafe behaviour.
• The take-off area and at least one backup landing place.
• Roads, buildings, cables, trees, people and animals nearby.
• Whether visual line of sight can be maintained for the whole route.

Unsure how to conduct an on-site check? We can help get you started.

If you are still getting comfortable judging your aircraft’s position and orientation, read 12 Common Drone Mistakes New Pilots Make before attempting a night flight.

Please note: 

TheDroneMap.com does not grant permission, approval, authorisation or clearance to fly. A Flight Report is not a NOTAM. You remain responsible for checking the applicable requirements and obtaining any necessary permissions before flying.

Can you fly a drone near fireworks or Halloween events?

A firework display may look tempting from the air, but a busy event is a poor and potentially dangerous place to fly. You must not fly over crowds, and fireworks can damage the aircraft, distract the pilot and introduce a fire risk.

Do not fly near fireworks, over a gathering or close to emergency-service activity. You also need permission to use the land.

For seasonal footage, choose a controlled scene or illuminated landscape from an otherwise suitable location. Plan the shot around a safe flight, not a crowded event.

Do cameras and obstacle sensors work normally at night?

Do not assume that they do. Obstacle sensors may become less effective or unavailable in darkness. Thin branches and cables can be almost invisible.

Camera autofocus and exposure also behave differently in low light, while slower shutter speeds may introduce blur.

Check the manufacturer’s instructions and treat obstacle avoidance as an aid, not a promise that the drone will stop itself.

Is night flying suitable for beginners?

No, not to start, however once you’ve mastered the controls in daylight first and are comfortable taking off, hovering, changing orientation, returning and landing, you’ll be ready for your first night flight. 

To test yourself against a range of flying skills and tasks, why not check out the FPV YouTube Series: 

• Q&A SERIES 3 – What Exercises can you try first with your new drone?
  • Certificate of competency CofC Part 1 – Practical Drone Exercises 1-4
  • Certificate of competency CofC Part 2 – Practical Drone Exercises 5-7 + Bonus FPV Skills

If you are an experienced drone pilot and for a first night flight, choose an open location you know. Arrive before dark, identify obstacles and landing points, keep the aircraft close and fly slowly. Calm weather and a generous battery reserve give you more room to think.

If anything is harder to judge than expected, land and try another time.

Does Article 16 change the night-flying rules?

FPV UK members may be eligible to fly under the FPV UK Article 16 Operational Authorisation. It has its own conditions, so check the current authorisation and FPV UK Handbook before deciding which framework applies.

Article 16 does not remove the need for visual awareness and careful planning. You remain responsible for flying safely and legally.

Frequently asked questions

Is it illegal to fly a drone after dark in the UK?

No. Night flying is permitted when you follow the rules applying to the aircraft and operation. In the Open Category, an active green flashing light is required.

Can I fly a DJI Mini at night?

Yes, provided you follow the rules applying to that model and flight. Check whether its built-in lighting meets the green flashing-light requirement; if not, fit a suitable light and account for the additional weight, (which could potentially change its categorisations and flying rules).

Plan the flight before darkness falls

It’s a good idea to conduct a pre-site drone flight assessment and on-site check any time you fly. At night, even more so! Night flying can produce brilliant footage. The safest sessions are simple behind the scenes: good thorough flight preparation, a known site, a straightforward route, a working light and a pilot who has flight contingencies in place. 

Our guide to where you can fly a drone in the UK explains how airspace checks, land access and local restrictions fit together.

Check your proposed location and nearby hazards on TheDroneMap.com before setting off. For practical skills and confidence-building exercises, explore the FPV UK Certificate of Competency and FPV UK membership benefits.

Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general information only and is based on our best efforts at the time of writing. Rules and requirements can change, and you remain responsible for ensuring that your flying is safe, legal and compliant with all applicable regulations.