Part 107, explained · Last reviewed October 25, 2026 against the eCFR and faa.gov. UAV Campus is not affiliated with the FAA.
Which Part 107 rules can be waived?
A certificate of waiver may authorize a deviation from only the rules listed in 107.205: 107.25, 107.29(a)(2) and (b), 107.31, 107.33, 107.35, 107.37(a), 107.39, 107.41, 107.51 and 107.145. The FAA issues one only if the operation can safely be conducted under its terms.
Sources: 14 CFR 107.205 · 14 CFR 107.200(a)
What the regulation says
§ 107.200 Waiver policy and requirements.
(a) The Administrator may issue a certificate of waiver authorizing a deviation from any regulation specified in § 107.205 if the Administrator finds that a proposed small UAS operation can safely be conducted under the terms of that certificate of waiver.
(b) A request for a certificate of waiver must contain a complete description of the proposed operation and justification that establishes that the operation can safely be conducted under the terms of a certificate of waiver.
Read all of § 107.200
(c) The Administrator may prescribe additional limitations that the Administrator considers necessary.
(d) A person who receives a certificate of waiver issued under this section: (1) May deviate from the regulations of this part to the extent specified in the certificate of waiver; and (2) Must comply with any conditions or limitations that are specified in the certificate of waiver.
§ 107.205 List of regulations subject to waiver.
A certificate of waiver issued pursuant to § 107.200 may authorize a deviation from the following regulations of this part:
(a) Section 107.25—Operation from a moving vehicle or aircraft. However, no waiver of this provision will be issued to allow the carriage of property of another by aircraft for compensation or hire.
Read all of § 107.205
(b) Section 107.29(a)(2) and (b)—Anti-collision light required for operations at night and during periods of civil twilight.
(c) Section 107.31—Visual line of sight aircraft operation. However, no waiver of this provision will be issued to allow the carriage of property of another by aircraft for compensation or hire.
(d) Section 107.33—Visual observer.
(e) Section 107.35—Operation of multiple small unmanned aircraft systems.
(f) Section 107.37(a)—Yielding the right of way.
(g) Section 107.39—Operation over people.
(h) Section 107.41—Operation in certain airspace.
(i) Section 107.51—Operating limitations for small unmanned aircraft.
(j) Section 107.145—Operations over moving vehicles.
[Docket FAA-2015-0150, Amdt. 107-1, 81 FR 42209, June 28, 2016, as amended by Amdt. 107-8, 86 FR 4387, Jan. 15, 2021]
AC 107-2A, 5.20 Certificate of Waiver
This CoW will allow a small UAS operation to deviate from certain provisions of part 107 if the Administrator finds that the proposed operation can be safely conducted under the terms of that CoW (§ 107.200).
Sources: 14 CFR 107.200 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21) · 14 CFR 107.205 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-21) · AC 107-2A, 5.20 Certificate of Waiver
Exam traps
- A waiver is issued only if the Administrator finds the operation can safely be conducted under the terms of the certificate of waiver.
- The request must contain a complete description of the proposed operation and justification that it can safely be conducted.
- The FAA may prescribe additional limitations, and the holder must comply with any conditions or limitations in the waiver.
- No waiver of 107.25 or 107.31 will be issued to allow the carriage of property of another by aircraft for compensation or hire.
Try it: practice questions
Similar to the FAA test, not the actual test questions.
Practice question 1
The FAA may approve your application for a waiver of provisions in Part 107 only when it has been determined that the proposed operation
- A Involves public aircraft or air carrier operations.
- B Can be safely conducted under the terms of that certificate of waiver.
- C Will be conducted outside of the United States.
Show the answer
Answer: B. Can be safely conducted under the terms of that certificate of waiver.(The waiver process is primarily in place to determine that you can safely conduct the flight under the terms you specified in your application.)
FAA source: 14 CFR 107.200(a)
Practice question 2
Which Part 107 rule can NOT be waived under 107.205?
- A 107.39, operation over people.
- B 107.36, carriage of hazardous material.
- C 107.31, visual line of sight.
Show the answer
Answer: B. 107.36, carriage of hazardous material.14 CFR 107.205 lists the waivable sections: 107.25, 107.29(a)(2) and (b), 107.31, 107.33, 107.35, 107.37(a), 107.39, 107.41, 107.51 and 107.145. 107.36 is not on the list. Waivers of 107.25 or 107.31 are also never issued to carry another person's property for compensation or hire.
FAA sources: 14 CFR 107.205 · 14 CFR 107.36
What must a waiver request include?
A complete description of the proposed operation and justification that establishes the operation can safely be conducted under the terms of a certificate of waiver.
Source: 14 CFR 107.200(b)
Can the FAA waive the anti-collision light rule for night flights?
Yes, in part. 107.205(b) lists 107.29(a)(2) and (b), the anti-collision light requirement for operations at night and during civil twilight, as waivable.
Source: 14 CFR 107.205(b)