Drone Laws in Trinidad and Tobago

Written by Francis Markert | Last update on 7. August 2026 | 1 comment

In this post, you will find the legal situation for the use of drones in Trinidad and Tobago.

In Trinidad and Tobago, drones are divided into five categories:

• Category 1 UA: maximum take-off weight of 750 grams.
• Category 2 UA: take-off weight of more than 750 grams and less than 20 kilograms, with a maximum speed of 40 m/s.
• Category 3 UA: take-off weight of more than 750 grams and less than 20 kilograms, with a speed of more than 40 m/s.
• Category 4 UA: from a take-off weight of 20 kilograms and less than 100 kilograms.
• Category 5 UA: all other unmanned aircraft that do not fall into the four categories above.

As a foreign drone pilot, you have to coordinate with the TTCAA before every recreational or commercial flight in Trinidad and Tobago.

Registering your drone

All drones over 750 grams and/or with a maximum speed of 40 m/s or more have to be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA). The only exception applies if you use a Category 1 UA drone for recreational purposes.

Registration goes through a virtual webinar and a fillable form. A processing fee is charged for it. After the procedure, you receive a Certificate of Registration that you should always carry with you during drone flights.

The current law allows for registrations from other countries to be recognised. Unfortunately, we have no experience yet with what this recognition looks like in practice.

In addition to the registration, you also have to apply for an operator’s licence, which covers one of the categories listed above. Private users can only get around this requirement if they fly in a registered drone club, under the supervision of a qualified pilot, or exclusively on private land with the owner’s consent.

For drone flights that require consent (for example over public property, in no-fly zones or for commercial operations), the following documents are required on top of that:

• A letter stating the coordinates or location, time, duration and altitude of the planned flight
• Letter of Indemnity
• Proof of insurance

Overview: Drone rules in Trinidad and Tobago

Further rules for drones

For Category 1 drones, the maximum altitude is limited to 30 meters (100 feet). In all other categories, the drone may climb up to 120 meters (400 feet).

Drones always have to stay within visual line of sight.

Depending on the category, the following distances apply:

You are only allowed to fly over a person if that person has explicitly agreed to the flight.

For flights on public ground, you need prior written approval from the competent authority. You will find the no-fly zones on the map linked above. It is best to check it for changes before each of your flights.

If you ever lose control of your drone and it keeps flying, you have to report this immediately to the nearest air traffic control unit. If people or animals were injured or someone else’s property was damaged, you additionally have to report the incident to the TTCAA within 10 days.

Commercial drone use

Anyone using drones commercially needs an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate. This certificate can be issued from the age of 18. For Categories 3, 4 and 5, the regulation names manufacturer training or training under the supervision of a licensed and qualified pilot as a requirement for the respective licence. However, as far as we understand it, only residents of Trinidad and Tobago can obtain the Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate.

If you do manage to obtain a permit, you have to document your drone flights in a logbook.

Have you already travelled in Trinidad and Tobago with your drone? Leave us a comment below this post and help everyone who is planning the same thing.

We have researched the listed drone regulations for Trinidad and Tobago to the best of our knowledge. We cannot guarantee the correctness of the information. If you want to be on the safe side, contact the local aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also ask the embassy in your home country for further information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in Trinidad and Tobago!