Drone Laws in Alabama (2024)
A list of drone regulations and links for people flying drones in Alabama.
Alabama Drone Regulations
Alabama Drone Regulations
Federal Drone Laws in Alabama
These are drone laws that apply to every state in the U.S., including Alabama, and were created by the federal government.
To fly a drone as a commercial pilot in the state of Alabama (i.e. for work / business purposes) you are required to follow the requirements of the FAA’s Part 107 Small UAS Rule (Part 107), which includes passing the FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate.
To fly a drone as a hobbyist in the state of Alabama (i.e. for fun / pleasure) you are required by the FAA to take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). You are also required to follow the FAA’s recreational model aircraft rules. One of those rules is that if your drone weighs more than 0.55 lbs (250g), you’ll need to pay $5 to get it registered. There are additional rules when it comes to airspace and altitude, keeping your drone within line-of-sight while you’re flying, and more.
To fly a drone as a government employee in the state of Alabama (i.e., for a police or fire department) you may either operate under the FAA’s Part 107 rule or obtain a federal Certificate of Authorization (COA).
Note: The content on this page is meant for informational purposes only, and is not meant to take the place of legal counsel.
State Drone Laws in Alabama
These are drone laws that apply to the entire state of Alabama, and were created by the Alabama Legislature.
According to the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama Legislature there are currently no state laws in place concerning the operations of drones in Alabama.
All drone pilots operating commercially in the state of Alabama are subject to the FAA’s Part 107 rules. Learn more about the FAA’s certification process to obtain a commercial drone license in this free guide.
Know something we don’t about drone laws in Alabama? Send us an email at support[at]horizonap[dot]com. We do our best to keep this list up-to-date, but the reality is that given the pace of the small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) industry and how municipal governments are responding, drone regulations in Alabama can change throughout the year, and changes can be hard to track. If we missed something, please reach out to let us know.
Why fly a drone in Alabama? To get great shots like these!
Local Drone Laws in Alabama
These are drone laws that apply only to certain regions, cities, or counties within the state of Alabama, and were created by various authorities within the state.
City of Oxford—Ordinance 2016-28
This city ordinance prohibits flying a drone over city-owned property, including parks and recreational areas, or any other area designated by the city’s police chief. This ordinance also gives provides police with the power to enforce FAA regulations.
This city ordinance prohibits flying a drone at or within 500 feet of any venue, outdoor special event, or gulf beach area unless such operation has been expressly permitted by the FAA and the city administrator.
Take a Drone Flight Training Class in Alabama
UAV Coach offers in-person training in select cities in Alabama. The 2-hour, in-person training class provides hands-on flight time with an instructor, practice with intelligent flight modes, and education on what to do before, during, and after a flight mission to stay compliant and safe. During the class, you’ll also get a chance to ask your questions about regulations, software, flight operations management, checklists and more.
Sign up for an in-person drone flight training class in Alabama.
Looking to get in more practice flying your drone? You can scout out safe and legal places to fly using our guide to the Best Places to Fly a Drone in Birmingham.
Want to get a feel for the kind of footage you could get flying a drone in Alabama? Here you go:
