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Regulations · Jersey

Flying a drone in Jersey: the regulations guide

Updated · October 2026 · 4 min · DCA / jerseylaw.je sources
Regulations by country

Displayed on Glydar’s map. For the other countries, the map displays nothing — and the absence of a zone does not mean “flight allowed”. See the coverage, country by country →

1 · The open category

Jersey has its own rules: the Air Navigation (Jersey) Law 2014 (L.24/2014, art. 52 for small unmanned aircraft). The regulator is the DCA (Director of Civil Aviation); British and European rules and registration systems do not apply in Jersey.

  • Direct line of sight, unaided (art. 52, para. 3): pure FPV is not permitted according to the DCA guide.
  • 400 ft at most, and not within an aerodrome traffic zone without permission from control (art. 52, para. 4).
  • With a camera: DCA permission within 150 m of a congested area or a gathering of more than 1,000 people, within 50 m of a vessel, vehicle, structure or person; 30 m from a person at take-off and landing.
  • Airport: any operation within 2 nm (3.71 km) of Jersey airport requires air traffic control authorisation.
  • Écréhous and Minquiers: drones prohibited from 1 February to 31 August without written authorisation from the Minister for the Environment.

2 · Zones: airport, harbours and islets

A map of the aerodrome traffic zone (red circle) appears as an image in the air traffic control guide and the DCA’s; no app or downloadable data is mentioned. Jersey’s harbours are congested areas (DCA permission within 150 m, and the owner’s agreement); Jersey prison is in the airport zone.

⚠️ Glydar’s map does not display Jersey’s regulations: the airport zone map in the DCA guide prevails, to be checked before every flight — see coverage, country by country.

3 · Registration, exam and insurance

  • Registration: the DCA has not set up any registration system for small unmanned aircraft or model aircraft in the Channel Islands (JJ-DOC-212, 12.1).
  • Age, training: not stated in the sources consulted; the A2 CofC is accepted as an entry competence for an aerial work permission.
  • Insurance: recommended, not mandatory under 20 kg; commercial insurance is required for an aerial work permission.

4 · FPV and night flying

FPV: “Pure FPV” is not permitted in the Channel Islands; “buddy box” operations may be acceptable.

At night: the DCA guide advises against flying at night; no numerical rule is stated.

5 · Before every flight

  • Direct line of sight, 400 ft; pure FPV prohibited.
  • Airport: 2 nm, control authorisation; congested areas and harbours: DCA permission within 150 m.
  • Écréhous and Minquiers: prohibited from 1 February to 31 August without written authorisation.
This guide simplifies — it replaces neither the official texts nor an up-to-date check. In case of doubt: the DCA (Office of the Director of Civil Aviation).

6 · Penalties: what the law says

The 2014 law (art. 155) punishes:

  • Offences in part A of schedule 3 (including article 52, flying small unmanned aircraft): a fine of level 3 on the standard scale.
  • Endangering people or property (art. 147, part B): a fine and up to 2 years in prison.
  • Endangering an aircraft (art. 146, part C): a sentence of up to 5 years.
The sterling amount of level 3 is not stated in the sources consulted. The text of the law prevails, not this page.

7 · Your responsibility, and what Glydar does

Glydar informs; it exempts from nothing. This guide draws on official sources but is not an official source, does not guarantee that they are exhaustive or up to date, and does not amount to authorisation to fly.

The remote pilot remains solely responsible for their flight and its compliance, as the terms of use recall. Everything needed to check is within reach: coverage, country by country, the official map and the texts cited below.

Official sources

FAQ

Can I fly FPV alone, without an observer?
No: pure FPV is not permitted in the Channel Islands; unaided direct line of sight is required.
Do I have to register my drone in Jersey?
No: the DCA has not set up any registration system in the Channel Islands. See the Registration section.
Does Glydar display Jersey’s zones?
No. Glydar’s map does not display Jersey’s regulations — see the coverage. The airport zone map in the DCA guide is to be consulted before flying.
What is the risk in case of an offence?
A level 3 fine, up to 2 years in prison for endangering people or property and up to 5 years for an aircraft, according to the 2014 law. See the Penalties section.
Is there a specific category? Why does this guide not cover it?
Jersey’s regime does not use the European categories: a permission from the Director of Civil Aviation covers aerial work and flights that fall outside the limits of the law. Glydar does not cover these operations: it is aimed at pilots who fly mostly for leisure, the equivalent of an open category, and a short, checked guide is better than an approximate one on a more complex regime. The official source is the following: the DCA’s guide on drones.
Is this guide enough to fly in compliance?
No: it simplifies the open category and points to the texts. The responsibility for checking is yours — see the Responsibility section.
On the map

All these zones, drawn beneath your propellers.

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