To operate a drone weighing more than 250 grams, you must have a licence. The type of licence you need depends on the drone type and how it will be operated. Additional certification is required in some cases. Licences for drone operation are valid in all European Union (EU) member states.

Obtaining a licence to operate a drone

A licence is always required to operate a drone weighing more than 250 grams. The licence permits you to operate open category drones in categories A1 and A3.

To operate an open category drone in category A2 or to operate a drone in the specific category, you also need an additional certificate of competency.

Follow the steps below to obtain a licence to operate a drone.

Step 1: Complete in-person or online training and pass a theory test

Complete in-person or online training and then pass a theory test administered by one of the following examining authorities:

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has authorised all of the above training providers to administer tests for drone operation.

Step 2: Apply for a licence

If you pass the online theory test you can apply to the Road Transport Agency (RDW) for a licence.

The training provider that administered your test will send you an email with a personal link to the RDW website, which you can use to apply for your licence. Log in using your DigiD and pay for the licence with iDeal. You will receive your licence by email and must print a copy yourself.

The drone operator’s licence is your proof that you have completed the online theory test. You are required to have it with you when operating a drone. The licence is valid for five years. 

Additional requirements for operating drones in open category A2 and the specific category

There are additional requirements for operating drones in open category A2 and the specific category.

Certificate of competency for category A2 drones

A certificate of competency is required to operate a category A2 drone. To obtain the certificate of competency, you must:

  1. already have a licence to operate category A1 and A3 drones;
  2. complete self-directed practical training;
  3. complete in-person or online training and pass a theory test for category A2 drones.

Self-directed practical training

In self-directed practical training, you teach yourself to:

  • take off or launch and land or recover a drone;
  • perform precision flight manoeuvres in a given airspace volume, such as ascending and descending, manoeuvring and following a set route, all of which require close control of the drone;
  • hover and loiter around positions;
  • perform emergency procedures in abnormal situations, such as when a medical helicopter is preparing to land. One type of emergency procedure is the return-to-home function, if the drone has this feature. Emergency procedures are described in the drone manufacturer’s instruction manual. You are not allowed to practice emergency procedures that require you to disable certain features, as they make the flight too dangerous.

The drone you operate during your self-directed training must be comparable to the category A2 drone you wish to operate after obtaining your licence.

Manual or GPS-supported operation

To operate a drone that can be controlled both manually and with GPS support, you must complete self-directed training for both types of operation. If your drone has one or more automated control functions, you must complete self-directed training for each one.

Theory test

You can prepare for the category A2 drone operator test on your own or by taking an organised course.

You can take the theory test via one of the following examining authorities:

Applying to the RDW for a certificate of competency

To apply to the RDW for a certificate of competency, you must:

  • already have a licence to operate a drone;
  • confirm that you have completed self-directed practical training;
  • prove that you have passed the theory test for category A2 drone operation.

If you pass the theory test for category A2 drone operation, the training provider that administered your test will send you an email with a personal link to the RDW website, which you can use to apply for your certificate of competency. Log in using your DigiD and pay for the certificate with iDeal. You will receive your certificate of competency by email and must print a copy yourself.

Keep a copy of the certificate of competency with you

You are required to have a copy of the certificate of competency with you when operating a drone. This can be a digital copy. This certificate also permits you to operate category A1 and A3 drones.

If you take your online theory test in an EU country other than the Netherlands, you must apply for the certificate of competency in the country where you took the test. The certificate of competency is valid in all EU countries including the Netherlands.

Training to operate specific-category drones (PDRA and STS)

To operate a drone in the specific category (average risk) under a pre-defined risk assessment (PDRA) or standard scenario (STS), you must:

  • already have a licence to operate category A1 and A3 drones;
  • complete training for the specific PDRA or STS under which you want to operate the drone.

Training for specific PDRA and STS

Training is the same for PDRA and STS. You can complete STS-01 training for PDRA-S01 and STS-02 training for PDRA-S02. Training for STS-01 and STS-02 consists of the following:

  • theory training;
  • theory test;
  • practical training;
  • practical test.

You must complete the practical training and practical test via the same provider/examining authority. You may complete the theory training and theory test via different providers.

Theory training and test 

Various providers offer theory training. You must take the theory test via an examining authority designated by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management for this purpose. If you pass the test you will receive a ‘remote pilot certificate of theoretical knowledge for STS’.

Practical training and test

You can complete practical training and practical tests for STS-01 and STS-02 via a training and examination authority that is officially recognised by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). If you pass the practical test you will receive an ‘accreditation of completion of the practical skill training for STS’.

Recognised training and examining authorities

The following examining authorities provide STS-01 training and testing:

The following examining authorities provide STS-02 training and testing:

Applying to the RDW for an STS certificate

To apply to the RDW for an additional certificate of competency for STS, you must:

  • already have a licence to operate category A1 and A3 drones;
  • prove that you have passed the additional theory test for STS.

If you pass the additional theory test the training provider that administered your test will send you an email with a personal link to the RDW website, which you can use to apply for your certificate. Log in using your DigiD and pay for the certificate with iDeal. You will receive your certificate by email and must print a copy yourself.

You are required to have it with you when operating a drone.