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Editorial scene: a person studies at a wooden desk in the evening with a laptop and notebook, a folded drone nearby, warm lamp light, with the Tallinn Old Town silhouette visible through the window at night, no text.

2026-07-09

EASA A1/A3 drone exam in Estonia: LOIS portal, fee and preparation

Estonia handles A1/A3 remote-pilot certificates through the Estonian Transport Administration and the LOIS Aviation Safety Information System. The process is national, but the theory is the same EASA Open-category framework used across member states.

The official Estonian route

Transpordiamet says drone operator registration and A1/A3 remote-pilot certification can both be done in LOIS. The official A1/A3 page also states that a remote pilot must apply through lois.transpordiamet.ee, pay the state fee and then proceed to the online examination.

The same page gives the exam basics:

  • A1/A3 is for Open-category remote-pilot competency.
  • The exam has 40 multiple-choice questions.
  • You need at least 75% to pass.
  • Open-category remote-pilot certificates are valid for five years.
  • Estonian certificates are valid in other EASA member states.

It also states that, for now, the A1/A3 learning materials are available only in Estonian. That matters if you prefer preparing in English, Russian or Ukrainian: use a structured prep resource first, then switch to the official portal when you are ready to apply.

How dronelingo fits

dronelingo does not replace LOIS and does not issue the Estonian certificate. It helps with the theory before the official process.

Use it to prepare the common EASA topics:

  • Open-category limits and subcategories
  • registration logic and operator responsibilities
  • VLOS and FPV-with-observer rules
  • height and distance limits
  • airspace and geographical-zone thinking
  • exam-style question practice

Then apply in LOIS and take the official Estonian exam. If you already passed A1/A3 in another EASA state, Transpordiamet says you do not need to take the exam again to fly in Estonia under the same certificate.

What to check before flying in Estonia

The certificate answers the competence question. It does not clear the location.

Before flying in Estonia, check:

  • whether you must register as a UAS operator
  • that the operator number is applied to the aircraft where required
  • Estonian geographical zones and any local permission process
  • whether the operation still fits the Open category
  • insurance and client requirements for the mission

For the official portal link, use the A1/A3 exam portal directory. For preparation, start with the A1/A3 course, then work through practice drills and a full mock exam.

Frequently asked questions

+Where do I apply for the Estonian A1/A3 drone certificate?

Estonia uses the LOIS Aviation Safety Information System at lois.transpordiamet.ee for drone operator registration and remote-pilot certificates.

+What does Estonia's official page say about the A1/A3 exam?

It says the A1/A3 examination has 40 multiple-choice questions and requires at least 75% to pass.

+Are Estonian A1/A3 certificates valid in other EASA countries?

Yes. Estonia's official page states that certificates obtained in Estonia are valid in other EASA Member States.

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