What licences do you need to use drones to deliver parcels in the UK? (2025 guide)

Thinking of launching a drone-delivery service in the UK? Great, but before you move a single parcel, you’ll need to line up the right registrations, pilot qualifications and regulatory approvals. Here’s a clear, practical rundown of the permissions most operators require, with official sources linked all the way through.

The short answer:

Parcel delivery almost always sits in the Specific category of UK drone operations. In practice, that means you will typically need:

1. CAA Operator ID (for the company that owns/controls the drones) and Flyer ID(s) for your pilots. (Register Drones)

2. A trained remote pilot, usually the GVC (General VLOS Certificate), from a CAA-recognised assessment entity. (Civil Aviation Authority)

3. A CAA Operational Authorisation (OA) for the Specific category, either:

   • UKPDRA01 (pre-defined risk assessment) when operating VLOS in built-up areas under its limits, or

   • a bespoke authorisation based on a SORA/OSC if your operation falls outside PDRA01 (e.g., complex urban ops, heavier UAS, or BVLOS). (Civil Aviation Authority)

4. Insurance that meets Regulation (EC) 785/2004 (as retained in UK law) for commercial UAS operations. (ARPAS-UK)

5. If carrying dangerous goods (e.g., lithium batteries as cargo), a specific CAA approval under the dangerous goods framework. (Civil Aviation Authority)

6. Compliance with privacy/data-protection law (often including a DPIA) and landowner permission for take-off/landing. (ICO, Civil Aviation Authority)

Step-by-step: building a compliant drone-delivery operation

1) Register: Operator ID + Flyer ID

• Operator ID: the organisation responsible for the drone (maintenance, who flies, compliance). Must be displayed on each aircraft. Renew annually.

• Flyer ID: each remote pilot passes the online theory test; renewal cycles apply per the Drone Code. (Register Drones)

2) Train your pilots (GVC and A2 CofC if relevant)

• For Specific category work, the CAA recognises competency through the GVC, delivered by a Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE). GVC underpins your OA application. (An A2 CofC is useful for some Open-category aircraft/activities but does not replace the GVC for Specific operations.) (Civil Aviation Authority)

3) Choose your authorisation route

Option A: UKPDRA01 (the common starting point for VLOS in built-up areas)

• Lets you fly VLOS in residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas under set limits (e.g., separation from uninvolved people; <25 kg MTOM; other technical/operational conditions).

• You still apply for an OA, but the risk assessment is “pre-defined,” so the process is shorter than a bespoke SORA/OSC. (Civil Aviation Authority, The UAV Academy)

Option B: Bespoke OA using a SORA/OSC (for operations outside PDRA01)

• For BVLOS, heavier payloads, or constraints beyond PDRA01, you’ll prepare an Operating Safety Case (OSC) aligned with the UK SORA methodology and the CAP 722 series. Expect additional technical/operational mitigations and concept-of-operations depth. (Civil Aviation Authority)

Delivery-specific note: If your concept involves dropping a parcel (winch/release), the CAA explicitly requires an Operational Authorisation. Many delivery concepts secure the payload and land, avoiding “dropping,” but the rule still matters if you intend aerial release. (Civil Aviation Authority)

4) Airspace, sites and local permissions

• Where you can fly: obey the Drone Code, FRZs and other airspace restrictions; obtain landowner permission for take-off/landing (e.g., councils, ports, estates). Expect additional stakeholder permissions in sensitive locations (ports, rail, highways). (Civil Aviation Authority)

• Your OA (PDRA01 or bespoke) will specify separations and operating limitations, stick to them. (Civil Aviation Authority)

5) Insurance

• Commercial drone ops must carry insurance that complies with Regulation (EC) 785/2004 (as retained in UK law), aviation-grade third-party liability with minima tied to aircraft mass/operation. (ARPAS-UK)

6) Dangerous goods (if applicable)

• Lithium batteries, medical samples, chemicals and other DG require specific approvals and strict compliance with ICAO Technical Instructions (packing, marking, training, documentation). The CAA’s CAP 2248 and CAP 2555 explain how UAS operators in the Specific category obtain DG approval. (Civil Aviation Authority)

7) Privacy, data protection and public confidence

• Drones with cameras/sensors engage UK GDPR/DPA 2018 obligations. The ICO advises completing a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), minimising capture, securing data, and being transparent. The CAA’s Drone Code also stresses privacy. (ICO, Register Drones)

8) Planning for BVLOS and scaling

• Routine BVLOS parcel delivery in non-segregated airspace demands additional approvals, detect-and-avoid strategies, and alignment with the CAA’s BVLOS policy/strategy work (see CAP 3038 and related AMS policy documents). Many operators start with VLOS (PDRA01) and progress to bespoke OAs as tech and procedures mature. (Civil Aviation Authority)

  
  

Typical document pack you’ll maintain:

• Company Operations Manual (aligned to your OA; PDRA01 users can use the CAA template and required sections). (Civil Aviation Authority)

• Pilot competency records (GVC certificates, recency, briefings). (Civil Aviation Authority)

• Insurance policy meeting Reg. 785/2004. (ARPAS-UK)

• Maintenance/airworthiness logs and configuration control. (See CAP 722 for expectations.) (Civil Aviation Authority)

• DPIA / privacy notices if capturing personal data. (ICO)

• Dangerous goods procedures/training if applicable. (Civil Aviation Authority)

  
  

Quick checklist:

• ✅ Operator ID (organisation) + Flyer ID(s) (pilots). (Register Drones)

• ✅ Pilot competency: GVC (Specific category). (Civil Aviation Authority)

• ✅ Apply for OA: PDRA01 (VLOS in built-up areas) or bespoke SORA/OSC (e.g., BVLOS/complex). (Civil Aviation Authority)

• ✅ Insurance to EC 785/2004 standard. (ARPAS-UK)

• ✅ Site permissions (landowner for take-off/landing); airspace checks per Drone Code. (Civil Aviation Authority)

• ✅ If dropping articles or carrying DG: CAA approvals. (Civil Aviation Authority)

• ✅ Privacy/DPIA and data security (ICO). (ICO)

  
  

Authoritative references & further reading:

• CAP 722 – UAS Operations in UK Airspace (master guidance). UK CAA. (Civil Aviation Authority)

• CAP 722H – Pre-Defined Risk Assessments (incl. UKPDRA01). UK CAA. (Civil Aviation Authority)

• PDRA01 overview (conditions & limits). UK CAA. (Civil Aviation Authority)

• Drone & Model Aircraft Code (registration, categories, rules). UK CAA. (Register Drones)

• Where you can fly (landowner permission; general guidance). UK CAA. (Civil Aviation Authority)

• Specific category & CAP 722 series hub (incl. CAP 722A/B and BVLOS resources like CAP 3038). UK CAA. (Civil Aviation Authority)

• Carrying goods / dropping articles (Operational Authorisation requirement). UK CAA. (Civil Aviation Authority)

• Insurance requirements for UAS (Regulation (EC) 785/2004). ARPAS UK (industry explainer referencing the regulation). (ARPAS-UK)

• Dangerous goods by UAS: CAP 2248 & CAP 2555; lithium battery carriage guidance; ICAO TI. UK CAA. (Civil Aviation Authority)

• ICO guidance on drones/UAS and video surveillance (DPIA, transparency, minimisation). UK ICO. (ICO)

  
  

Final tip:

Start lean with VLOS under PDRA01 to prove your service, then plan a staged path to bespoke OAs (and eventually BVLOS) as your technology, detect-and-avoid, and procedures mature under the CAP 722 framework. It’s the quickest lawful route from idea to first successful deliveries. (Civil Aviation Authority)