Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing Enhanced DBS checks for people applying for certain categories of drone operation, particularly commercial or higher-risk use.

The Department for Transport keeps the regulatory framework governing the use of uncrewed aircraft under regular review to ensure it remains proportionate, effective and fit for purpose, including in residential and sensitive areas.

Following a review of the UK’s drone regulatory framework, new drones weighing 250g or more are required, from 1 January 2026, to be equipped with direct remote identification before being placed on the market. From 2028, remote identification will be mandatory for all drones over 250g and all drones with cameras over 100g.

On 5 May, the Government announced an investment of £20.5m in a world-leading Hybrid Remote ID system to meet future security and airspace needs and improve traceability and accountability of drone operations. This will allow authorised authorities to identify and track drones and their operators in both real time and historic records to tackle illegal and unsafe drone use. We are also introducing enhanced identity verification by linking drone registration records to verified real‑world identities.

The police powers introduced by the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft (ATMUA) Act 2021 alongside the CAA’s Registration and Education service, combined with the Hybrid Remote ID and identity verification ensure that all drone use receives the same high degree of oversight to ensure safety and acceptable use.