Skip to content
DRONELINGO
Two drones on a desk — a palm-sized sub-250 g model and a larger camera drone — beside a notebook with a checklist, suggesting a decision.

2026-07-07· updated 2026-07-08

Do I need a drone licence in Latvia? Answer three questions

"Do I need a licence for my drone?" is almost the wrong question. Latvia does not issue a single "drone licence." Three separate things hide behind that word, and they do not come as a bundle. Answer three questions and you will know exactly what applies to you.

There is no single "drone licence"

What people call a licence is usually one of three things: operator registration, a remote-pilot qualification (A1/A3, and sometimes A2), or — for the smallest drones — nothing at all. Mixing them up is why the same question gets ten different forum answers.

Question 1 — Do you have to register?

You must register as an operator if the drone:

  • weighs 250 g or more, or
  • carries a camera or another sensor that can record people, or
  • can transfer more than 80 J in a collision, or
  • is flown in the Specific category

The exception is a genuine toy under the toy-safety directive. The trap most people miss: a drone under 250 g with a camera still needs registration — the camera, not the weight, triggers it. Registration costs 5 EUR a year and is done once, whatever number of drones you own.

Question 2 — Do you need the A1/A3 qualification?

The A1/A3 theory exam is required only if the drone has a C1–C4 class mark or weighs 250 g or more. A sub-250 g drone with no class mark does not need A1/A3 — even with a camera, which only triggers registration. The course and exam are free.

Question 3 — Which subcategory, and is A2 in play?

A1/A3 covers two subcategories — A1 (close to people, light drones) and A3 (well away from people). Flying a C2 drone near people or built-up areas is A2, a separate qualification with its own exam. If that is your plan, read A1/A3 or A2: which certificate you need.

Three common cases

  • No-camera drone under 250 g: nothing — no registration, no exam.
  • Camera "mini" under 250 g, no class mark: register as an operator; no A1/A3 exam.
  • 250 g or more, or a C1–C4 class mark: register and pass A1/A3.

Check your exact model. The class mark is applied by the manufacturer, and a CE mark is not the same as a C0–C4 mark.

Your next step

If you'd rather not reason it out by hand, the category checker turns these three questions into one answer for your exact drone. Landed on "yes, A1/A3"? Follow the step-by-step path to becoming a pilot, see where it sits in the full buy-to-first-flight guide, and prepare with the online course.

◇ Frequently asked questions

+Is there a single "drone licence" in Latvia?

No. What people call a licence is really one of three separate things — operator registration, a remote-pilot qualification (A1/A3, sometimes A2), or, for the smallest drones, nothing at all.

+Do I need to register my drone?

You must register as an operator if the drone weighs 250 g or more, carries a camera or other sensor that can record people, can transfer more than 80 J in a collision, or is flown in the Specific category. A genuine toy is the exception. Registration costs 5 EUR a year.

+Do I need the A1/A3 qualification?

Only if the drone has a C1–C4 class mark or weighs 250 g or more. A sub-250 g drone with no class mark does not need A1/A3 even with a camera — the camera only triggers registration. The course and exam are free.

+My drone is under 250 g but has a camera — what do I need?

Register as an operator, but you do not need the A1/A3 exam. The camera triggers registration; A1/A3 depends on the class mark or weight.

+When does A2 come into play?

Flying a C2 drone near people or built-up areas is A2 — a separate qualification with its own exam, on top of A1/A3.

◇ Related guides