14 CFR 48.15 to 48.205

What does Part 48 require for drone registration?

Part 48 is the FAA registration rule for small unmanned aircraft. Here is the rule, the exam traps and practice questions, with the FAA source under each answer.

Part 107, explained · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.

Who must register a drone under 14 CFR Part 48, and when does it expire?

Under 48.15, nobody may operate an eligible small unmanned aircraft unless the owner registered and marked it under Part 48, with two exceptions: exclusive recreational use at 0.55 pounds or less, and Armed Forces aircraft. A certificate expires 3 years after issue unless renewed, and renewal verification may happen in the six months before expiry.

A small unmanned aircraft can be registered only if it is not registered abroad and is owned by a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, a qualifying U.S. corporation or a government. The owner must update the registry within 14 calendar days of a change or cancellation event such as sale or destruction.

Sources: 14 CFR 48.15 · 14 CFR 48.100(c) · 14 CFR 48.205

What the regulation says

14 CFR 48.100(c)

A Certificate of Aircraft registration issued under this part expires 3 years after the date of issue unless it is renewed.

14 CFR 48.205(c)

The unique identifier must be legibly displayed on an external surface of the small unmanned aircraft.

Sources: 14 CFR 48.100(c) · 14 CFR 48.205(c)

Exam traps

  • The 0.55-pound exception applies only if the aircraft is operated exclusively under 49 U.S.C. 44809 (the limited recreational rule).
  • A Part 48 registration certificate expires 3 years after the date of issue unless renewed.
  • Changes to registration information, or cancellation by sale, transfer, destruction or export, must be reported within 14 calendar days.
  • The unique identifier must be legible, affixed to remain on for each operation, and displayed on an external surface of the aircraft.

Try it: practice questions

Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions.

Practice question 1

According to 14 CFR Part 48, when must a person register a small UA with the Federal Aviation Administration?

  1. A Only when the operator will be paid for commercial services.
  2. B All civilian small UAs weighing greater than .55 pounds must be registered regardless of its intended use.
  3. C When the small UA is used for any purpose other than as a model aircraft.
Show the answer
Answer: B. All civilian small UAs weighing greater than .55 pounds must be registered regardless of its intended use.

14 CFR 48.15: a small UA must be registered unless it is flown exclusively under the recreational exception (49 U.S.C. 44809) AND weighs 0.55 lb or less (or belongs to the Armed Forces). So anything over 0.55 lb must be registered no matter why you fly it, which is why this is the best option. Note: under Part 107 even a 0.55 lb-or-less drone must be registered, because the weight exception applies only to recreational flying. Being paid and the old "model aircraft" distinction are not what triggers registration.

FAA source: 14 CFR 48.15(a)-(b)

Practice question 2

You registered your UAS on August 12, 2018, on what day will your Certificate of Registration expire?

  1. A August 31, 2021.
  2. B August 12, 2021.
  3. C August 31, 2020.
Show the answer
Answer: B. August 12, 2021.

A Certificate of Aircraft Registration expires 3 years after the date of issue unless renewed (14 CFR 48.100(c); 48.105(c) for recreational). It counts from the issue date, not to the end of the month. That is the trap: remote pilot recency uses calendar months, registration does not.

FAA source: 14 CFR 48.100(c)

Practice question 3

After selling your UAS on eBay, how many days do you have to update the registration information on the FAA Drone Zone website?

  1. A 1 calendar month.
  2. B 7 days.
  3. C 14 days.
Show the answer
Answer: C. 14 days.

The holder of a Certificate of Aircraft Registration must update the registration within 14 calendar days of a sale or transfer, destruction, or export, or any change in the registration information (14 CFR 48.115(b)). Don't confuse this with the 30-day address-change rule for your remote pilot certificate (107.77(c)).

FAA sources: 14 CFR 48.115(b) · 14 CFR 107.77(c)

Can a child register a drone?

If the owner is under 13 years of age, the aircraft must be registered by a person who is at least 13.

Source: 14 CFR 48.25(b)

Is a drone registration proof of ownership?

No. 48.25(c) says registration is not evidence of aircraft ownership in any proceeding in which ownership by a particular person is in issue.

Source: 14 CFR 48.25(c)

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