SINGAPORE – From Dec 1, 2025, users of unmanned aircraft (UA) such as drones must comply with new regulations requiring UA weighing more than 250g to have “digital licence plates”. This measure aims to improve aviation and public safety and security in Singapore, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said on Sept 2.
When a UA is in flight, the digital licence plate – known as Broadcast Remote Identification (B-RID) – transmits information such as the UA’s position and the location of its operator.
Users with an operator permit who use the FlyItSafe mobile app while operating UA are exempt from the B-RID requirement.
The app allows the UA operator to monitor his UA flights to ensure they are within permitted areas and to prevent unintentional breaches into non-permitted zones.
A B-RID is also not required if the UA is operated indoors or in an enclosed environment, CAAS said in a statement announcing the launch of a month-long public consultation to seek feedback on the implementation of the B-RID requirement in Singapore.
B-RID uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology to share information such as the UA’s position, serial number and the operator’s identification reference number.
“The information that is broadcast from the UA can be received within transmission range by government agencies to identify the UA in flight for safety and security purposes,” CAAS told The Straits Times.
It noted that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) have also introduced B-RID requirements.
The FAA did this in September 2023, while the Easa followed suit in January.
In Singapore, more than half of registered UA already have built-in B-RID modules, and the majority of new UA also come equipped with these.
Owners of UA not equipped with B-RID must install a B-RID module on their UA by Dec 1, 2025, in order to fly it, CAAS said.
The number of registered UA in Singapore has ballooned from 8,205 in December 2020 to 24,567 in July 2024.
“With their potential to transform the way people live, work and play, UA activities in Singapore have gained much popularity over the years,” CAAS said, adding that it would continue to “facilitate the beneficial use of UA while ensuring aviation and public safety and security”.
CAAS said it intends to pay for the installation of B-RID modules for users who apply between Jan 1 and March 31, 2025. After this period, users will have to bear the cost of a B-RID module, which is between $120 and $250.
The regulator will also provide educational and guidance materials to help users choose the correct B-RID module for their UA and to check that the module is working.
Mr Benjamin Goh, head of training at Drone Element – a UA training and assessment organisation – said those who build their own UA would be most affected by the new rules.
He added that besides the cost of the B-RID module, this group may find it difficult to incorporate the module into their UA, as the aircraft may not be able to take the weight of B-RID modules.
Mr Farhan Tahir, administrator of the Universal Drones Singapore Facebook hobby group – which has about 8,100 members – said drone groups are “panicking” about the potential rising costs of taking up drone flying as a hobby.
“If I have multiple drones, how many (B-RID modules) do I need (to apply for)?” Mr Farhan, who is in his 30s, asked, calling for more clarity on the new rules.
In response to ST’s query, CAAS said a B-RID module may be transferred from one registered UA to another.
Mr Farhan is also concerned about how the requirement will affect tourists who want to use their drones here and those coming to Singapore to join drone flying competitions, which are usually held outdoors.
In July, a Chinese tourist was fined $12,000 after flying a drone illegally to take aerial shots of Marina Bay. Three others were charged with allegedly operating drones in the Marina Bay area and near the State Courts building in Havelock Square.
That same month, CAAS suspended aviation technology company H3 Dynamics from operating UA after one of its drones crash-landed in a condominium development in one-north.
In 2023, CAAS dealt with 306 cases of unlawful drone use, compared with 396 cases in 2022 and 266 cases in 2021.
The public can provide feedback on the roll-out of the B-RID from Sept 2 to Oct 1 via go.gov.sg/feedbackcaasuasbrid
