Drone flying without a license may become punishable

Flying with drones without a drone license may soon become punishable. Drone licenses have existed since 2021, but so far only about one in ten drone users have obtained the training and license.

» Published: December 30 2024

Drone flying without a license may become punishable
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

It is still a very low number considering the number of assessed users in the Swedish airspace, says Christoffer Massinger, drone coordinator at the Transport Agency.

The government's proposal is to introduce sanctions from July 1st this summer: either day fines or up to six months' imprisonment.

The proposal has been out for consultation and will be presented in a bill to the parliament.

Half a million

No one knows exactly how many drones there are in Sweden, but it's estimated to be around half a million, according to the Transport Agency. About 40,000 have obtained a drone certificate.

It's going up, but it's going slowly, says Christoffer Massinger.

That's why they want clearer rules and clearer penalties in order to get to the users who still haven't obtained a drone certificate.

The Transport Agency believes it's due to ignorance. But it could also be that many think it's difficult and expensive.

Nine serious incidents

Incorrect handling of drones can have consequences, not least for air traffic when drones come too close.

In ten years, 719 incidents with drones in connection with air traffic have been registered and analyzed.

Nine such incidents have been classified as serious. It has, for example, involved drone flights at too high an altitude, situations during aircraft landings, collisions, and drone crashes. But so far, drone incidents have not led to personal injuries.

The Transport Agency sees a downward trend in recent times.

Right now, we only have statistics up to September 2024, but so far, there are fewer incidents than during the same period in 2023, says Christoffer Massinger.

Alarming reports

The use of drones is expected to increase rapidly, mainly among professional drone operators who perform complex operations.

The Transport Agency receives alarming reports from the industry that many deliberately break the rules, for example, flying with heavier drones in urban environments.

Here, Christoffer Massinger hopes that customers of drone pilots will help by demanding that drone pilots have the right competence and all permits in place before they take off.

The requirement for a drone certificate applies if the drone weighs 250 grams or more.

The education consists of a 90-page compendium to read and then an online test.

The price depends on what type of and how many permits you want and lands between 390 and 780 kronor.

If the drone weighs 250 grams or more, you must also register as a drone operator. This also applies to the use of all drones equipped with cameras or sensors for sound recording, regardless of weight.

For more advanced drones, there are requirements for competence certificates if the drone falls into the specific category and requirements for remote pilot certificates if the drone belongs to the certified category.

More detailed information can be found on the Transport Agency's website.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Suspected Murder in Hässleholm: One
1 MIN READ

Suspected Murder in Hässleholm: One Person Detained

Teenage Girl Stabbed on Bus
1 MIN READ

Teenage Girl Stabbed on Bus in Eslöv; Four Teens Arrested

Ex-Regional Official in Sweden Faces
1 MIN READ

Ex-Regional Official in Sweden Faces Charges in Pension Fund Bribery Case

Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower
2 MIN READ

Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower Dementia Risk in Older Adults

Critics Challenge Proposal to End
3 MIN READ

Critics Challenge Proposal to End Summer Grazing for Swedish Dairy Cows

Sweden Proposes Transparency for Lottery
1 MIN READ

Sweden Proposes Transparency for Lottery Purchases Supporting Parties

Elderly Man's Death in Gullspång
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man's Death in Gullspång Fire Investigated as Suspected Murder

Sweden Tightens Control on Opioids
1 MIN READ

Sweden Tightens Control on Opioids and Hazardous Substances

Sweden Braces for Economic Impact
2 MIN READ

Sweden Braces for Economic Impact from US Tariffs, Government Warns

Swedish Man Faces Arson Charges
1 MIN READ

Swedish Man Faces Arson Charges for House Fire in Norway

Man Charged in Fatal Lund
1 MIN READ

Man Charged in Fatal Lund Knife Attack Linked to Drug Deal

Electric Scooter Accidents Surge by
1 MIN READ

Electric Scooter Accidents Surge by 30 Percent in 2024, Young Riders Most Affected

Skåne Manager Faces Charges for
1 MIN READ

Skåne Manager Faces Charges for Embezzling Millions from Municipalities

Teen Faces Court in Sweden
2 MIN READ

Teen Faces Court in Sweden for Alleged Sect-Linked Knife Attack

Elderly Man Critically Injured in
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man Critically Injured in Kävlinge Villa Fire

Somalia Expels Swedish Aid Chief
1 MIN READ

Somalia Expels Swedish Aid Chief Anna Saleem Högberg

Sweden Proposes Tighter Security at
2 MIN READ

Sweden Proposes Tighter Security at Migration Detention Centers

Swedish Foreign Minister to Discuss
2 MIN READ

Swedish Foreign Minister to Discuss Journalist's Detention with Turkey

Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm to
1 MIN READ

Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm to Close Following Riksdag Decision

Sweden's Malmer Stenergard to Discuss
2 MIN READ

Sweden's Malmer Stenergard to Discuss Journalist's Detention with Turkey

Parents in Sweden Jailed for
1 MIN READ

Parents in Sweden Jailed for Locking Children in Basement

75-Year-Old Woman Cleared of Murder
1 MIN READ

75-Year-Old Woman Cleared of Murder Charges in Ale

Bribery Convictions in Sweden See
1 MIN READ

Bribery Convictions in Sweden See Rise in Gross Offenses

Suspect Detained in Norrköping Murder
1 MIN READ

Suspect Detained in Norrköping Murder Investigation

Sabotage Cuts Power to 500
1 MIN READ

Sabotage Cuts Power to 500 Homes in Småland, Police Investigate

Twelve Indicted in Major Scania
1 MIN READ

Twelve Indicted in Major Scania Drug Network Bust

Sun-Seeking App Trend Raises Skin
2 MIN READ

Sun-Seeking App Trend Raises Skin Cancer Concerns in Sweden

Sweden Braces for Year's Warmest
1 MIN READ

Sweden Braces for Year's Warmest Day Before Cold Snap Hits

Online Sect's Influence on Teen
4 MIN READ

Online Sect's Influence on Teen Knife Attacks Faces Court Scrutiny

Swedish Man Sentenced to 10
1 MIN READ

Swedish Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Long-Term Abuse of Relative

Man Critically Injured in Sollefteå
1 MIN READ

Man Critically Injured in Sollefteå Workplace Accident

Child Seriously Injured After Fall
1 MIN READ

Child Seriously Injured After Fall from Window in Stockholm

Sweden's Spring Covid Vaccine Campaign
2 MIN READ

Sweden's Spring Covid Vaccine Campaign Focuses on High-Risk Groups

Stockholm Police Launch Pilot to
2 MIN READ

Stockholm Police Launch Pilot to Curb Violence Against Women

Anna-Karin Hatt Declines Centre Party
1 MIN READ

Anna-Karin Hatt Declines Centre Party Leadership Role

Expert Group to Guide Västra
1 MIN READ

Expert Group to Guide Västra Götaland After Millennium System Setback

Kristersson Calls for Doubling Sweden's
3 MIN READ

Kristersson Calls for Doubling Sweden's Conscription Numbers

Woman in Her 60s Killed
1 MIN READ

Woman in Her 60s Killed in Collision with Truck Near Kristianstad

Three Men Charged in Assault
1 MIN READ

Three Men Charged in Assault and Rape Case in Kristianstad

Sweden Proposes Stricter Housing Rules
3 MIN READ

Sweden Proposes Stricter Housing Rules for New Immigrants