Drone Operators Subject to Age Limit, Certification Under New Federal Rules

Anyone flying a drone in Canada will have to pass an online exam and get a pilot’s certificate under new rules to be announced today by federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau. The new regulations, which come into effect June 1, apply to all drone operators, whether they fly for fun, work or research. Operators will be required to register their drones and mark them with the registration number. A minimum age limit of 14 for basic operations and 16 for advanced will be introduced.

Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau announces new rules to fly a drone in Canada during a news conference in Montreal on Jan. 9, 2019. Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press

MONTREAL—Anyone flying a drone in Canada will have to pass an online exam and get a pilot’s certificate under new rules to be announced on Jan.9,  by federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau.

The new regulations, which come into effect June 1, apply to all drone operators, whether they fly for fun, work, or research.