New FAA Drone Rules Go Into Effect On Monday: What You Need To Know

New FAA rules about drone usage go into effect on Monday, requiring some drone-flyers to get a special license before they fly again.

What does this mean for you? Patch spoke to the FAA Friday, and this is what you need to know.

Who needs to get this new license?

If you're flying a drone just for fun, you're good to go.

Want to take your drone out to the park or the backyard every once in awhile? As long as you're following these basic FAA rules, you can keep on doing that.

If you're flying for anything else, this new rule applies to you.

That includes flying commercially, flying for a public entity such as your local government or basically anything else that's more than just a hobby.

Fall into that group? Keep reading...

What do I need to do?

You'll have to take a test for what's called a "remote pilot certificate," which is basically a drone version of a pilot's license.

It requires basic knowledge of the U.S. aviation system and must be done in person. The certificate tells the FAA that you know what you're doing and that you don't need a permit every time you fly commercially, like people with airplanes have to do.

See an overview of what you'll need to know for the test here and a list of testing centers across the country here.

Read more on the FAA's new drone rule here.

Image via Shutterstock