Today I became the proud owner of my Drone Operator ID by passing my online test via the CAA web site.

Some people have found it hard to find the site but it’s on the CAA landing page under the word Drones.

Once you press on the Drones button you are directed to this page and its simple from here on in.

The test…I was very apprehensive at doing the test as me and exams don’t mix. The pass mark is 16 out of 20 and I got 16. You can sit the test as many times as you like but I prefer to be honest and sat it once. Its not hard as its multiple choice and a lot of common sense. You only need to know to basics of drone usage which most drone pilots even rookies like me get to know. There is nothing mega taxing in the 20 questions, you just have to pick the correct 20 answers.

I am a member of the FPV UK and was told by another drone pilot that you do not need to do the CAA test if you are a FPV member.

FPV UK “Our members are exempt until the end of January 2020”

“Before then we will offer our members a simple way to register through us.  This is entirely optional.  If you don’t want to register then simply don’t use this new facility (and don’t pay us £9).
In fact if you tried to register through us and you are already registered directly with the CAA it would be rejected and your money would be returned.”

My take on this is that FPV members have a couple of months extra to play with rather than the deadline of the end of November 2019 via the CAA.

After November 2019 drone users face fines of up to £1,000 if the fly their device without passing an online test or registering as an operator.