Canada Drone License Guide
How to get your RPAS Pilot Certificate (Basic / Advanced) — issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation. Cost, exam format, altitude limits, and renewal — all up to date for 2026.
Key data at a glance
| Total cost | Basic: ~CAD $10. Advanced: CAD $260–$400 including flight review. |
| Renewal cycle | Recurrent knowledge requirement every 24 months (no exam required, but continual currency) |
| License classes | 4 categories |
| Maximum altitude | 400 ft AGL |
| BVLOS allowed (standard) | No — VLOS only |
| Remote ID required | Yes |
| Minimum age | 14 years |
| Exam format | Basic: 35-question online exam (65% to pass), CAD $10. Advanced: 50-question online exam + flight review with TC-approved Flight Reviewer (CAD $250–$400). |
Transport Canada drone classes / categories
Micro RPAS
MTOM < 250 gSub-CARS — no licence required, follow general airspace rules
Basic Operations
MTOM 250 g – 25 kgUncontrolled airspace, > 30 m from bystanders, > 5.6 km from airports
Advanced Operations
MTOM 250 g – 25 kgControlled airspace, near bystanders, near airports — exam + flight review required
RPAS > 25 kg
MTOM > 25 kgSpecial Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) required per flight
Operational limits
- Always within visual line of sight (VLOS) for Basic/Advanced
- Maintain 30 m horizontal from uninvolved bystanders (Basic) or operate per declared safety distance (Advanced)
- Stay 5.6 km (3 NM) from airports / 1.9 km (1 NM) from heliports under Basic
- Advanced unlocks operations near airports with NavCanada RPAS Wilco authorization
- BVLOS, swarms, > 25 kg → SFOC required
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Canada drone license — frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Basic and Advanced Operations?
Basic = uncontrolled airspace, > 30 m from bystanders, > 5.6 km from airport. Advanced = controlled airspace OK, near bystanders OK, near airports OK with RPAS Wilco — but you need the Advanced exam plus a flight review.
How much is a Transport Canada drone exam?
Basic exam is CAD $10 online. Advanced exam is CAD $10 plus a flight review with a TC Flight Reviewer (typically CAD $250–$400).
Do micro drones (< 250 g) need registration in Canada?
No — sub-250 g RPAS are exempt from registration and pilot certificates. They must still respect airspace rules (no near-airport flying, no flying over people in dangerous ways).
Is the Canadian drone exam available in French?
Yes — Transport Canada offers all RPAS exams in English and French.
Can I fly BVLOS in Canada?
Not under standard Basic/Advanced. BVLOS, > 25 kg, swarms, and other advanced operations require an SFOC (Special Flight Operations Certificate) per flight or campaign.
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