There's no such thing as a UK 'commercial drone licence' any more — the old PfCO distinction died in 2021. What matters now is category of operation, not whether money changes hands. That said, real clients want real paperwork. Here's the stack.
The qualification ladder
Plenty of paid work is legal in the Open category with nothing but registration — a sub-250g drone filming a farm, for instance. The moment you need to fly a heavier drone near people or in congested areas, you need the Specific category: a GVC (General VLOS Certificate) plus an Operational Authorisation from the CAA.
- Step 1 — Flyer ID + Operator ID: the legal floor (£11.79/year)
- Step 2 — A2 CofC (~£100): mid-size drones closer to people
- Step 3 — GVC (~£1,000–1,500 incl. training): the professional standard, renewable Operational Authorisation ~£253/year to the CAA
- Step 4 — OSC (Operating Safety Case): bespoke permissions for BVLOS, sub-30m urban work — serious money, serious operations
Insurance and what clients demand
Commercial flights legally require EC 785/2004 compliant insurance — typically £300–600/year for £1–5m public liability from specialist providers. In practice clients (and especially councils and film productions) ask for: your Operational Authorisation number, proof of insurance, a RAMS document (risk assessment and method statement) per job, and flight logs.
On pricing: UK day rates for a solo GVC pilot run roughly £350–700 for survey/inspection work, more with deliverables like orthomosaics or thermal reports. Under-pricing against hobbyists is the classic beginner mistake — the paperwork IS the product.
Pro tipNiche beats generalist: roof inspections, match-day football filming, solar farm thermography — pick one vertical, learn its jargon, and you'll out-earn 'drone photographer' every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn money with just a sub-250g drone?
Yes — A1 privileges apply regardless of payment. You still need EC 785/2004 insurance for commercial flights and should carry public liability documentation clients can verify.
How long does the GVC take?
Most training providers run a 2–3 day course (online theory + practical assessment). Adding the CAA's Operational Authorisation processing, allow 4–8 weeks from starting the course to being fully operational.
Check your exact spot before you fly
Tap the live map or ask Maverick, our CAP 722 AI, for an instant clearance report.
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