How to Get Your A1/A3 Drone Pilot’s License Quickly and Inexpensively)

Are you flying a drone that weighs more than 250 grams ? Then in Belgium, you need a A1/A3 drone pilot’s license in Belgium. Fortunately, you don’t have to study for weeks or spend a lot of money to get your A1/A3 drone pilot’s license. With the right approach, you can do it quickly, affordably, and stress-free.

In summary: If you want to get your A1/A3 drone pilot’s license as quickly and inexpensively as possible, start with the government’s free online exam. You don’t have to take a mandatory course, which helps you avoid unnecessary costs and wasted time. If you don’t pass right away or want some extra guidance, you can always opt for a paid course.

What kind of drone license do you need? Here’s how the regulations work

In Belgium (and the rest of Europe), drone flight is subject to European regulations. For recreational and many professional flights, the open categoryapplies to recreational and many professional flights. This open category is divided into three subcategories: A1, A2, and A3.

Which subcategory applies to you depends on your drone’s weight, how close you fly to people, and your drone’s C-label. The C-label (C0 through C5, with C6 currently under development) indicates which technical requirements your drone meets and helps determine which subcategory you are permitted to fly in and what pilot’s license is required.

Based on that, you can determine which drone pilot’s license you need. In practice, the A1/A3 pilot’s licenseis sufficient, possibly supplemented by an A2 license if you want to fly a heavier drone closer to people.

1. A1/A3: The Basic Pilot’s License

The A1/A3 pilot’s license is the starting point for every drone pilot. You need this pilot’s license as soon as you fly a drone weighing more than 250 grams. It allows you to fly, with the appropriate drone, in subcategory A1 or A3.

You can obtain this pilot’s license by passing an online theory exam. There is no practical test involved, which makes it quick and accessible.

2. A2: Fly closer to people

Do you want to get fly closer to people ? Then you’ll need an A2 pilot’s license . This is an extension of the A1/A3 license and comes with additional requirements.

With A2:

• You may do not fly over people who are not involved
• You must maintain a horizontal distance of 30 meters from bystanders (can be reduced to 5 meters if the low-speed mode is enabled)
• you have to set the flight altitude below 120 m above the ground

For A2, you must:

• First, earn your A1/A3 certification
• study more theory
• Submit a practical statement (self-study)

Which flight certificate corresponds to which Cx label and which subcategory?

The C-label for your drone determines which subcategory you’re allowed to fly in and what pilot’s license you need to do so. The overview below summarizes this simply.

Where can you fly with an A1/A3 pilot’s license?

With an A1/A3 pilot’s license, you are authorized to fly within the open category, specifically in subcategories A1 and A3. Where exactly you’re allowed to fly depends on the type of drone and the environment in which you’re flying.

1. Subcategory A1: fly close to people (but not above them)

Subcategory A1 is intended for lighter drones, but exactly what you’re allowed to do depends on the C-label on your drone. Not every A1 drone has the same level of freedom.

1. Homemade drone weighing less than 250 grams

With a homemade drone weighing less than 250 grams, you are allowed to:

• fly over bystanders, although you should avoid this as much as possible
• not to fly over a gathering of people fly

2. C0 drone (under 250 grams)

With a C0 drone, you are allowed to:

• not over a gathering of people fly
• up to up to 120 meters fly above the ground

3. C1 drone (under 900 grams)

With a C1 drone, you may:

• Do not intentionally fly over people who are not involved (keep any unexpected overflights as brief as possible)
• not to fly over a gathering of people fly
• up to up to 120 meters above the ground

2. Subcategory A3: fly far away from people

Subcategory A3 is intended for heavier drones and for flights in open, sparsely populated areas. This subcategory applies to C3 and C4 drones as well as non-C-label drones (homemade drones and aircraft without EASA certification) weighing more than 250g.

• You may do not fly over people who are not involved
• You must a horizontal distance of at least 150 meters from:
  • uninvolved individuals
  • residential, commercial, and industrial areas

You’ll fly no more than 120 meters above the ground

Step by step: Here’s how to quickly get your A1/A3 drone pilot’s license

If you approach it the right way, you can literally finish this in one evening. The exam is all theory, so you don’t have to go anywhere.

Step 1: Check whether you need to register as an operator first

In Belgium, you can take care of almost everything through the official Drone Portal of the FPS Mobility. In most cases, you must first register as a UAS operator, even before you take the A1/A3 exam. This way, your pilot’s license and all documents are automatically linked to your profile.

Registration is required as soon as:

• your drone 250 grams or more weighs
• your drone a Camera or other sensor that personal data can record

After registering, you will receive an operator ID. That ID must be clearly visible on your drone and will remain linked to your name as the pilot.

Step 2: Complete the A1/A3 e-learning course on the official platform

Once you have registered as a UAS operator, you can begin the official A1/A3 e-learning course offered by the Belgian government. This training is entirely online and free of charge.

Through this platform:

• you’ll go through the theoretical material
• Can you take the course at your own pace beforehand, even before you start the exam
• You set the pace yourself: pausing, repeating, and continuing later is no problem

The e-learning course prepares you directly for the exam. Everything you see there may actually appear in the exam questions.

Only when you’re ready should you start the online A1/A3 exam.

Step 3: Take the online exam

Have you completed the e-learning course? If so, you can take the take the online A1/A3 exam on the same platform.

The A1/A3 exam typically consists of 40 multiple-choice questions , and you must score at least 75% to pass. You have a maximum of 2 hours to take the exam, and you get up to 3 attempts to pass.

Afterward, you’ll see immediately your result on the screen. If you pass, you’ll receive an email with a link to your A1/A3 certificate in the Drone Portal.

How do you get an A2 motorcycle license in Belgium?

Do you want to fly a heavier drone closer to people? In that case, an A1/A3 license isn’t enough—you’ll need an A2 pilot’s license . This is an extension of your basic license and gives you more flexibility, but also comes with additional responsibility. The A2 pilot’s license builds on the A1/A3. So you’re never starting from scratch.

Please note: You must be at least 16 years old to fly in subcategory A2.

Step 1: First, earn your A1/A3 certificate

Without a valid A1/A3 certificate , you cannot take the A2 exam. Do you already have one? Then you can move right on to the next step.

Step 2: Study some additional theory

For A2, you need to additional material . The FPS Mobility publishes a list of exam topics, which you’ll use to prepare. No sample questions are available. The government does not offer any training courses itself, but private training organizations are permitted to offer courses. They determine the content and price themselves.

Step 3: Take the A2 theory exam

You can register via Drone Portal. Once your exam date has been confirmed, you’ll take the exam in person at the FPS Mobility and Transport. The exam consists of approximately 30 multiple-choice questions and is completely free. If you don’t pass, you can re-register for free after a 7-day waiting period.

Step 4: Submit a statement of practice

In addition to the theoretical exam, there is a practical training is required. You may complete this on your own, at least 150 meters away from populated areas (in accordance with the A3 requirements).

After passing the theory exam, you’ll upload a signed statement to Drone Portal confirming that you have acquired the required practical competencies. Only then will you receive your A2 certificate.

How much does an A2 pilot’s license cost?

The exam itself is free, just like the A1/A3 exam.

Would you like to prepare using a private course provider, you’ll have to pay for it. Prices vary by provider and are not set by the government.

Validity of the Certificate

Both the A1/A3 certificate and the A2 certificate are valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.

To renew your A1/A3 certificate, complete the e-learning course again and take the exam again . Important to know: The expiration date of your highest-level certificate automatically applies to all lower-level certificates as well. For example, if you later earn an A2 certificate, you do not need to renew your A1/A3 certificate separately as long as that higher-level certificate remains valid.

Example

You have:

• an A1/A3 certificate issued on January 1, 2026 – valid through December 31, 2031
• later, an A2 certificate obtained on May 1, 2029—valid through April 30, 2034

In this case, both certificates will expire on April 30, 2034, because the A2 certificate is your highest-level certificate.

How much does an A1/A3 pilot’s license cost? Here’s how to get your A1/A3 pilot’s license affordably

Good news: In Belgium, you can get the get your A1/A3 pilot’s license completely free of charge . The official training and the online exam are provided by the government and therefore cost you nothing. If you take the basic course, you pay 0 euros for your pilot’s license.

Still, some people spend extra money while preparing. This usually involves:

• paid summaries or practice questions, to get through the material more quickly
• online guidance or video courses, for those who like to have everything explained step by step

These extras can be helpful if you’re short on time or prefer to study with a clear structure. But they are not required to pass. With the free e-learning and a little focused preparation, you’ll pass the A1/A3 exam with flying colors at no extra cost.

If you want to keep costs as low as possible, the official learning platform is sufficient. Additional paid assistance is an option, not a requirement.

Get a Solid Start as a Drone Pilot

Getting an A1/A3 drone pilot’s license doesn’t have to be difficult, expensive, or time-consuming. With the government’s free e-learning course, an online exam, and a little preparation, you’ll be all set in no time. For most drone pilots, A1/A3 is sufficient to fly legally and safely. If you want to fly closer to people with a heavier drone later on, you can easily upgrade to A2.

By knowing in advance which type of flight ticket you need, where you’re allowed to fly and what rules apply to your drone, you’ll avoid mistakes and can take to the skies with peace of mind.

Do you still have questions about your situation, your drone, or the regulations? If so, you can always contact us for personalized advice. We’re happy to help you figure things out.