Can You Fly A Drone At Night In The UK?

You can fly a drone at night in the UK, and for many pilots the calm air and dramatic light after sunset make it some of the best flying of the year. The rules in the Open category still apply after dark, with one important addition that came into force in 2026. This guide explains how to fly a drone at night in the UK legally, including the green flashing light requirement, visual line of sight, and the practical steps to stay safe.

Is It Legal To Fly A Drone At Night In The UK

Night flying is permitted in the Open category. The CAA does not treat darkness as a special category that needs extra permissions for most recreational and commercial pilots, so the same framework you use in daylight carries over. What changes is the level of risk, because you can see less and so can everyone around you.

That is why planning matters even more after dark. The core Open category rules still apply, including a maximum height of 120 metres above the surface and keeping clear of the distances your subcategory sets for uninvolved people.

The Green Flashing Light Requirement

The single most important change for night pilots is the green flashing light. From 1 January 2026, a green flashing light on the drone is mandatory when operating at night. The CAA guidance is direct, requiring that 'when operating at night, ensure that a green flashing light on the unmanned aircraft is activated'.

The responsibility sits entirely with the remote pilot. The light must stay active for the whole flight, and if it switches off at any point, for recording or any other reason, you are no longer compliant. The CAA recommends the light is securely attached in a position where it stays clearly visible from the ground throughout the flight.

The regulations do not set a minimum brightness, flash frequency, viewing angle, or range, so the practical test is straightforward. If someone on the ground can clearly see a green flashing light on your aircraft, you have met the requirement.

Do You Need To Add A Light To Your Drone

It depends on your aircraft. Class-marked drones in the UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5, and UK6 classes must have a built-in green flashing light, so most modern class-marked drones are ready to fly at night out of the box. UK0 and UK4 class drones are not required to carry one as standard and may need an aftermarket light fitted before any night flight.

There is a catch worth planning for. Adding an aftermarket light increases the total weight of the drone, which can push a sub-250g aircraft over the threshold and change which operational subcategory applies. Check the combined weight before you fly so you know exactly which rules you are operating under.

Keeping Visual Line Of Sight After Dark

Visual line of sight, or VLOS, must be maintained at all times during night operations, exactly as it is in daylight. In practice this is harder after sunset, because a small drone becomes little more than its lights against a dark sky. The green flashing light helps you keep it in sight, and it is sensible to fly closer and lower than you might during the day so you never lose orientation.

A few habits make night VLOS far easier. Choose a launch site you know well, arrive before dark to scout obstacles such as trees, wires, and buildings, and keep a mental note of where hazards sit once you can no longer see them clearly.

Practical Tips For Flying At Night

Preparation is what separates a great night flight from a nervous one. Scout the location in daylight, check the airspace and any local restrictions before you travel, and make sure your batteries are warm and fully charged, since cold night air drains them faster. Set your return-to-home height above the tallest obstacle nearby, and keep flights shorter than you would in daytime so you always land with margin to spare.

Finally, respect privacy and noise. Flying at night near homes can worry people who cannot see what your drone is, so choose open, low-sensitivity areas where you will not cause alarm.

FAQs

Can you legally fly a drone at night in the UK?

Yes, you can legally fly a drone at night in the UK in the Open category. The standard Open category rules apply, and since 1 January 2026 a green flashing light must be activated on the aircraft throughout any night flight.

What light do you need to fly a drone at night in the UK?

You need a green flashing light that stays clearly visible from the ground for the whole flight. Class-marked UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5, and UK6 drones include one as standard, while UK0 and UK4 drones may need an aftermarket light fitted.

What counts as night for drone flying?

Night is the period of darkness after dusk and before dawn when the green flashing light requirement applies. The safest approach is to treat any flight in low light or darkness as a night operation and activate your light accordingly.

How high can you fly a drone at night in the UK?

The Open category height limit of 120 metres above the surface applies at night just as it does during the day. Many pilots choose to fly lower at night to keep the aircraft comfortably within visual line of sight.

Final Thoughts

Flying a drone at night in the UK is entirely legal and hugely rewarding, provided you respect the rules. Activate a green flashing light, keep visual line of sight, stay within the 120 metre height limit, and plan your site in daylight first. Get those basics right and night flying opens up a whole new side of the hobby.

Find a night-ready drone for confident, legal flying at the Coptrz official online store.