Tech

FAA Says Drones Must Display Registration Numbers Externally

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration published the new rule in the Federal Register Tuesday.

FAA Says Drones Must Display Registration Numbers Externally
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Drone owners will soon need to make sure their registration ID number is displayed on the outside of their device.

The FAA published this new rule in the Federal Register Tuesday.

It says "small unmanned aircraft owners" will be required to display their registration number on an "external surface" of the machine.

Back in 2015, the FAA said all drones must be registered with the U.S. government before taking flight, and registration numbers had to be readily accessible in a place like a battery compartment.

The agency says the rule change is in response to terrorism concerns — specifically "the risk a concealed explosive device poses to first responders who must open a compartment" to find a drone's ID number.

The new rule is set to go into effect next week.