The certificate you need is not a matter of ambition. In Latvia it is decided by two things: your drone's class mark and how close to people you intend to fly. Work those out and the A1/A3-versus-A2 question answers itself.
Start with your drone's class mark
Since 2024 the Open category runs on C-class marks, applied by the manufacturer:
- under 250 g, or C0 / C1 → A2 is not available; A1/A3 is enough if a qualification is required
- C2 → you may need A2, depending on where you fly
- no class mark → you are limited to A1 (under 250 g) or A3 (under 25 kg, far from people)
A CE mark is not a C mark. Check the label, not the box art.
A1/A3 — the free baseline
A1/A3 is the entry qualification, and the CAA course and exam are free: 40 questions, 40 minutes, 75% to pass, valid 5 years across the EU. It clears you for:
- A1 — light drones, near but never over crowds of people
- A3 — flights at least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas
For most hobby flying, this is all you will ever need.
A2 — only for a C2 drone close to people
A2 exists for one situation: a C2 drone flown closer than 150 m to built-up areas — the case for a lot of urban photo and inspection work. It is a separate, in-person exam that stacks on top of A1/A3:
- pass A1/A3 first
- do practical self-training (you sign it off yourself)
- sit the A2 exam — 30 questions, 30 minutes, 75%, 15 EUR first attempt, 10 EUR to retake
Its subjects go deeper: meteorology, UAS flight performance, and ground-risk mitigation such as the low-speed mode and the 1:1 distance rule.
The honest decision
- Hobby flyer with a mini or a C0/C1 drone: A1/A3, done.
- Urban or commercial work with a C2 drone near people or buildings: A1/A3 then A2.
- Bigger drone, always far from people: A3 under A1/A3 — no A2 needed.
You can't skip to A2
A2 is not an alternative to A1/A3 — it requires it. So whatever your goal, the free A1/A3 exam is step one.
Not sure yet? Start with do I need a drone licence at all, then prepare with the course.
