Drones that weigh less than 250 g are considered microdrones, and you are not required to register them or get a pilot certificate from Transport Canada to fly them. The weight of the drone includes the weight of anything attached or carried, such as safety cages or optional cameras. It does not include the weight of the remote control.

Pilots of microdrones do not have to follow the same requirements that pilots of other drones do, but they do have a responsibility to show good judgment and fly safely, which includes identifying potential hazards and taking all necessary steps to minimize the risk of incidents. Failure to do so can result in fines.

Transport Canada lists the following guidelines that pilots of microdrones should follow:

• maintain the drone in direct line of sight
• do not fly your drone above 400 feet in the air
• keep a safe lateral distance between your drone and any bystanders
• stay far away from aerodromes, airport, heliport and waterdrome (aka “water aerodromes” – an area of open water specifically used for the arrival, departure, movement, and servicing of seaplanes, floatplanes, and amphibious aircraft)
• avoid flying near critical infrastructure (utilities, communication towers, bridges, etc.)
• stay clear of aircraft, at all times
• do a pre-flight inspection of your drone
• keep the drone close enough to maintain the connection with the remote controller
• stay away from emergency sites (the security perimeter of a police or first responder emergency operation; sites near disasters, such as wildfires, floods, earthquakes)
• get a Special Flight Operations Certificate for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (SFOC-RPAS) to operate at an advertised event.

To operate a drone weighing more than 250 g, you must obtain a licence and register the drone with Transport Canada.

Changes to operation rules

As per Transport Canada, Canada’s drone operations changed on November 4, 2025. Fees have been introduced for new exams, certificates, and declarations. Pilot licensing and drone registration are now based on the new rules, which include changes to flying:

• extended visual line-of-sight (EVLOS) operations,
• beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, and
• Sheltered operation (flights with a small drone that are close to a structure, such as a building).

Visit Transport Canada’s 2025 Summary of changes to Canada’s drone regulations for the most up-to-date information.

								
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