Part 107, explained · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.
Can you drop objects from a drone or fly one from a moving vehicle?
No one may operate a drone carelessly or recklessly so as to endanger another's life or property, or allow an object to be dropped creating an undue hazard. Operating from a moving aircraft is banned. From a moving land or water vehicle, it is allowed only over a sparsely populated area and not carrying another person's property for hire.
Sources: 14 CFR 107.23 · 14 CFR 107.25
What the regulation says
§ 107.23 Hazardous operation.
No person may:
(a) Operate a small unmanned aircraft system in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another; or
Read all of § 107.23
(b) Allow an object to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft in a manner that creates an undue hazard to persons or property.
§ 107.25 Operation from a moving vehicle or aircraft.
No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system—
(a) From a moving aircraft; or
Read all of § 107.25
(b) From a moving land or water-borne vehicle unless the small unmanned aircraft is flown over a sparsely populated area and is not transporting another person's property for compensation or hire.
Sources: 14 CFR 107.23 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21) · 14 CFR 107.25 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21)
Exam traps
- Section 107.23(b) bans dropping an object in a manner that creates an undue hazard to persons or property, not every drop.
- Operation from a moving aircraft is prohibited with no exception.
- From a moving land or water-borne vehicle the drone must be over a sparsely populated area.
- The moving-vehicle exception ends if the drone is transporting another person's property for compensation or hire.
Try it: practice questions
Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions.
Practice question 1
Under what conditions may objects be dropped from an aircraft?
- A If prior permission is received from the Federal Aviation Administration.
- B If precautions are taken to avoid injury or damage to persons or property on the surface.
- C Only in an emergency.
Show the answer
Answer: B. If precautions are taken to avoid injury or damage to persons or property on the surface.(14 CFR 107.23(b) states that no person may allow an object to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft in a manner that creates an undue hazard to persons or property.)
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.23(b)
Practice question 2
A professional wildlife photographer (certified Remote Pilot) operates an sUAS from a moving truck to capture aerial images of migrating birds in remote wetlands. The driver of the truck does not serve any crewmember role in the operation. Is this sUAS operation in compliance with 14 CFR Part 107?
- A Not compliant with Part 107.
- B Part 107 does not apply to this scenario.
- C Compliant with Part 107.
Show the answer
Answer: C. Compliant with Part 107.(The keyword in this statement is that the location is “remote”. 14 CFR Part 107.25 states that “”No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system— (a) From a moving aircraft; or (b) From a moving land or water-borne vehicle unless the small unmanned aircraft is flown over a sparsely populated area and is not transporting another person’s property for compensation or hire.” In this scenario, the operation is compliant with Part 107.)
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.25(b)
Practice question 3
In accordance with 14 CFR Part 107, you may operate an sUAS from a moving vehicle when no property is carried for compensation of hire
- A Over suburban areas.
- B Over a parade or other social events.
- C Over a sparsely populated area.
Show the answer
Answer: C. Over a sparsely populated area.(14 CFR Part 107.25 states that “No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft system— (a) From a moving aircraft; or (b) From a moving land or water-borne vehicle unless the small unmanned aircraft is flown over a sparsely populated area and is not transporting another person’s property for compensation or hire.)
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.25(b)
Can the FAA waive the moving-vehicle rule?
Yes, a certificate of waiver may authorize a deviation from 107.25. However, no waiver will be issued to allow the carriage of property of another by aircraft for compensation or hire.
Source: 14 CFR 107.205(a)