Drone Flying at Night: FAA Rules, Lighting Requirements, and Penalties (2025 Guide)

For years, flying a drone at night meant navigating a mess of waiver applications, dense FAA language, and guesswork. That changed in 2021 when the Federal Aviation Administration rewrote the rules under Part 107. If you meet specific requirements, Night operations are legal without a waiver. 

But let’s be clear: “legal” doesn’t mean lax.

Whether inspecting power lines in the dark or capturing low-light aerials for a film shoot, you’re subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as daytime flyers. Fail to comply with FAA drone night rules, and you're risking more than just a crash. We're talking five-figure fines, suspended licenses, and potential legal action.

This guide breaks down exactly what it takes to fly a drone at night in the U.S. in 2025. From anti-collision lighting specs to pilot training requirements and recreational exceptions, everything here is based on FAA regulations, not internet hearsay.

So before you strap a flashlight to your Mavic and call it a day, read this.

FAA Definition of Night for Drone Flights

Night flight doesn’t begin the moment the sun disappears. According to the FAA, night starts 30 minutes after sunset and ends 30 minutes before sunrise. The gray area in between, called civil twilight, is still regulated, and depending on visibility, you may still need anti-collision lights during this window.

This definition isn’t just bureaucratic trivia. It directly affects your flight planning, especially if you're trying to squeeze in missions during dusk or dawn. Many pilots get this wrong, launching as soon as it gets “dark enough.” But if you're flying without proper lights 15 minutes after sunset, you’re not just non-compliant—you’re liable.

It’s also worth noting that FAA altitude limits don’t change at night. Whether it's midday or midnight, 400 feet above ground level (AGL) is still the ceiling in uncontrolled airspace unless you’re operating near a structure. Visibility, however, becomes the variable. And at night, you’re not just watching for clouds—you’re watching for everything your strobes might miss: wires, trees, drones, or birds.

The bottom line is that the FAA’s definition of night sets the clock for when stricter rules kick in. Know it, use it, and plan accordingly—because ignorance won't hold up if something goes wrong.

FAA Drone Rules for Flying at Night 

The FAA’s decision to eliminate the Part 107.29 waiver in April 2021 was a big win for commercial drone operators, but it came with strings attached. Instead of waiting weeks for night flight approval, you can now fly after dark without submitting a waiver. That’s the good news. 

The tradeoff? You’re fully responsible for meeting every requirement spelled out under the Small UAS Rule, Part 107. Miss even one, and you’re flying illegally.

Here’s what legal night flying looks like in 2025 under Part 107:

• Anti-collision lighting is mandatory: Your drone must be equipped with lights that are visible from at least three statute miles. Not just any light—it must flash or strobe between 40 and 100 times per minute. If you’re using a solid LED or relying on a dim, off-brand strobe, you’re not compliant.
  
• You must complete night flight training: If you were certified before April 21, 2021, you’re required to complete the FAA’s recurrent training before flying at night. This covers lighting standards, night vision limitations, and key human factors. If you were certified after that date, the night flight module is already built into your initial exam—but it's still your responsibility to stay current.
  
• Visual line of sight (VLOS) still applies: Nighttime doesn't give you a license to fly around buildings or into obstructed terrain. You—or your visual observer—must be able to maintain unaided visual contact with the drone at all times. Losing sight of it, even briefly, bumps you into BVLOS territory, which requires separate FAA authorization.
  
• Remote ID must be active: The rule doesn’t take a break after dark. If your drone is required to transmit Remote ID data—and most commercial drones are—it needs to be fully functional during the entire operation. No exceptions.

 

• Controlled airspace still requires authorization: Night flights don’t override airspace rules. If you’re operating in Class B, C, D, or certain parts of Class E airspace, you still need clearance through LAANC or direct FAA/ATC coordination.

The FAA has made it easier to fly at night—but only for operators who know what they’re doing. If your lighting is insufficient, your certification is outdated, or your Remote ID is offline, you’re not just out of compliance. You’re putting your pilot certificate, equipment, and business at risk.

Anti-Collision Light Requirements for Night Drone Flights

Lighting isn’t optional. It’s the backbone of legal night operations—and one of the most common areas where drone pilots cut corners, either out of ignorance or overconfidence. The FAA has very specific standards for anti-collision lighting, and failing to meet them doesn’t just make your drone harder to see. It makes your flight illegal.

Here’s what those lighting requirements look like in practice:

Requirement	FAA Requirement?	Notes
Visible for 3 SM	Yes	Required for Part 107; rec. for rec flyers
Flashing/Strobing	Yes	40–100 blinks per minute
Solid Light Only	No	Doesn’t meet FAA standards
Top Mounting	Recommended	Increases visibility to manned aircraft
Red or White Color	Yes	White preferred

Visibility

The FAA doesn’t just want your drone to be lit. It needs to be visible from three miles away—in every direction. That means your strobe lights must have full 360-degree coverage and enough intensity to cut through urban haze or rural darkness. Weak LEDs or cosmetic light strips don’t count.

Flash pattern

This is non-negotiable. Solid lights, slow pulse lights, or continuous glow strips don’t meet the requirement. The flash rate must fall within that window, not below, not above. It’s meant to ensure the light is both visible and attention-grabbing, especially to manned aircraft flying nearby.

Color

The FAA doesn’t dictate which one you use, but in practice, white is more visible—especially against dark backgrounds or when flying in areas with minimal ambient lighting. Avoid using blue, green, or multicolor strobes, as they can confuse or mislead other pilots and airspace users.

Mounting location

It’s not required by law, but if you want to actually be seen, mounting your strobe on the top of your drone is best. Pilots of manned aircraft—who are the ones most likely to need to see you—are looking down, not up. A strobe mounted underneath might look cool, but it’s not helping anyone avoid a collision.

Flash intensity and strobe quality

The FAA doesn’t certify specific lighting products, but if you’re ever inspected after an incident, the burden is on you to prove your lighting met the requirements. That’s why using FAA-trusted brands like LumeCube Strobe, Firehouse ARC V, or FoxFury D10 isn’t just smart—it’s defensive.

Use with navigation lights

Navigation lights—those solid red, green, or white LEDs—are great for orientation, but they’re not substitutes for anti-collision strobes. You can use both, and you probably should. Just don’t confuse the two, because the FAA doesn’t.

The takeaway is simple: if your lighting doesn’t meet all these specs, you’re not cleared for night flight under Part 107. And that’s not just a technical violation—it could be why a manned aircraft doesn’t see your drone until it’s too late.

If you’re unsure whether your lights are compliant, don’t guess. Document the visibility range. Know your flash rate. Choose lighting with proven specs, not whatever had five stars on Amazon last week.

Required Training for Flying Drones at Night Under Part 107

Lighting is only half the battle. The FAA doesn’t just want your drone visible—it wants the person flying it to know what they’re doing in low-light conditions. That’s why night flight training is required for any Part 107-certified pilot flying after dark.

But like most things FAA-related, what you need to do depends on when you got certified.

• • Certified before April 21, 2021
    You must complete the FAA’s online recurrent training course before flying at night. The course is free, available through the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) site, and mandatory. If your certification predates the 2021 rule change and you haven’t completed this updated training, you cannot legally fly.
  • Certified on or after April 21, 2021
    You’re covered. The FAA integrated night flight knowledge into the standard Part 107 initial test after this date, so if you passed your exam anytime after mid-2021, your certificate includes night operations by default.
    

That said, many pilots certified after 2021 still opt to take the recurrent training anyway, especially if they haven’t flown much after dark. It covers practical factors that don’t always come up during daytime ops—like how the human eye adapts to darkness, how to manage disorientation, and how easily depth perception can fail when there’s no sunlight.

There are also specialized night flight training programs available for operators who need more than the FAA’s basics:

• Unmanned Tactical Group’s UAS Night Operations Course – A two-day in-person course designed for professional operators in public safety, critical infrastructure, or tactical use cases. Covers thermal payloads, night-time search protocols, risk mitigation, and crew-based operations in low visibility conditions.
  
• Training from community-based organizations (CBOs) – Recreational flyers who aren’t Part 107 certified must follow night flying safety guidelines from an FAA-recognized CBO, like the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) or the FPV Freedom Coalition. These organizations provide their own recommendations on lighting, visibility, and airspace safety—sometimes stricter than FAA rules.
  

If you’re operating commercially under Part 107 and you haven’t checked your training status recently, now’s the time. The FAA doesn’t give free passes for ignorance, and outdated certification is one of the fastest ways to invalidate your flight, even if everything else is in order.

Penalties and Legal Risks of Flying Drones at Night Without Proper Lights

Flying a drone at night without anti-collision lighting isn’t just a technical violation—it’s a regulatory landmine. The FAA doesn’t care if it was “just a quick flight,” or if “no one was around.” If you’re operating outside the rules, especially after dark, the consequences can escalate quickly.

Here’s what’s on the table:

Violation Type	Description
Civil fines up to $75,000 per violation	Flying without FAA-compliant lights can trigger significant fines—up to $75,000 per incident. Additional violations like missing Remote ID or flying in restricted airspace can stack penalties quickly.
Certificate suspension or revocation	Part 107 pilots risk having their Remote Pilot Certificate suspended or permanently revoked for negligence, repeated violations, or endangering others. Reinstatement is not guaranteed.
Additional penalties for related violations	The FAA evaluates the full context of a flight. Breaking multiple rules—like exceeding altitude, losing VLOS, or flying without proper lighting—can result in several separate fines.
Legal and administrative action	In serious cases, the FAA may issue cease-and-desist orders, launch formal investigations, or refer cases to law enforcement, especially if the flight posed a safety risk or shows a pattern of non-compliance.

• Civil fines up to $75,000 per violation  – Yes, per violation. If you’re caught flying at night without FAA-compliant lights, that alone can trigger a hefty fine. Combine that with missing Remote ID, outdated training, or flying in controlled airspace without approval, and the penalties stack.
  
• Certificate suspension or revocation  – For Part 107 pilots, the FAA doesn’t hesitate to suspend or permanently revoke your Remote Pilot Certificate if your violation involves negligence, repeat offenses, or endangering others. And once that certificate’s gone, good luck getting it back.
  
• Additional penalties for related violations  – The FAA tends to investigate the full context of a non-compliant flight. If you flew above 400 feet, entered restricted airspace, or lost VLOS while also lacking proper lighting, expect multiple violations—and multiple fines.
  
• Legal and administrative action  – If your flight causes an incident or is part of a pattern of unsafe behavior, the FAA can pursue legal or administrative enforcement. That includes cease-and-desist orders, escalated investigations, or referrals to law enforcement if the violation was reckless.

And it’s not just a U.S. issue. In Canada, for example, individuals can be fined between $1,000 and $5,000 for similar offenses, including operating without proper lighting or certification. The numbers vary by country, but the trend is clear: regulators are cracking down on night flights that cut corners.

To be blunt, you can buy a compliant strobe light for under $50. Getting caught without one could cost you thousands—and possibly your entire commercial operation.

Recreational Drone Night Flying Rules and Exceptions

Just because you're not flying commercially doesn't mean you're off the hook. Recreational drone pilots in the U.S. have more flexibility than their Part 107-certified counterparts, but that freedom comes with conditions, especially when flying at night.

Under 49 U.S. Code § 44809, recreational drone operators are allowed to fly without formal FAA certification as long as their flights meet the following criteria:

• Operate strictly for recreational purposes
• Fly a drone under 55 lbs
• Comply with the safety guidelines of a community-based organization (CBO) recognized by the FAA
  

That last part is where most recreational flyers get it wrong. You're not just “free flying”—you’re expected to follow the rules of a CBO like the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) or the FPV Freedom Coalition. And yes, that includes lighting standards and night flight procedures.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Anti-collision lights are generally required – Most CBOs recommend or require that drones flying at night be equipped with strobes that are visible for at least three statute miles. If the ambient lighting conditions are bright enough to maintain line of sight without a strobe, some CBOs allow for lighting exceptions—but that’s a judgment call, not a loophole.
  
• Lighting exceptions exist, but are narrow – The FPV Freedom Coalition, for instance, permits night flying without anti-collision lights if there's adequate ambient light and the pilot can maintain visual line of sight. But that's not a green light to skip lighting entirely—especially in rural, poorly lit areas or dense urban environments with limited visibility.
• Training isn’t mandatory, but guidance exists – Recreational pilots aren’t required to complete FAA training modules, but CBOs often provide their own best practices for night flying, including how to prep for visual obstacles, handle orientation in low light, and select proper lighting gear.
  
• Remote ID still applies – Even recreational drones must comply with Remote ID rules, either through a built-in broadcast module or by flying in FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs). Flying at night doesn’t change that requirement.
  

The takeaway? While recreational flyers don’t need a Part 107 license, they’re still subject to FAA oversight and responsible for safe, visible night operations. If you crash into something or someone, because you thought “recreational” meant “anything goes,” you could still face fines or legal consequences.

If you're flying at night for fun, great. Just don't treat “fun” as an excuse to ignore rules. The sky might be dark, but the FAA’s expectations aren’t.

Night Drone Flight Use Cases

For many professionals, night flight isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s essential. The FAA’s streamlined night flying rules opened the door for more drone programs to operate after dark without drowning in waiver paperwork. And in the real world, that flexibility has already paid off.

Here’s where legal night flight makes a serious difference:

• Search and rescue operations –Time matters when someone’s missing. Fire departments and law enforcement agencies often use drones equipped with thermal sensors to locate people in low-light or no-light environments—woods, mountains, disaster zones. Night ops let them deploy immediately, without waiting for sunlight or FAA approval. Agencies using the DJI Matrice 30T or Autel EVO Max 4T can now launch within minutes and cover more ground with better situational awareness.
  
• Disaster response and firefighting – Large-scale fires don’t keep business hours, and neither do first responders. Night drones help fire crews assess burn perimeters, identify flare-ups, and coordinate resources without putting boots in danger zones. With clear visibility from the air, they’re better equipped to make life-saving decisions.
  
• Infrastructure and utility inspections – Power companies and utility contractors can now inspect critical infrastructure, like transmission lines, substations, bridges, and pipelines, during off-peak hours. Night flights reduce risk to ground crews and avoid disruption to daytime operations. Thermal imaging also performs better at night due to reduced ambient heat interference.
  
• Construction site monitoring and perimeter checks – Night drone patrols allow construction managers to secure sites overnight, monitor equipment, or generate time-lapse models without disrupting work hours. With a strong strobe, a VLOS-compliant flight path, and automated waypoints, these operations can happen safely and consistently, even in urban zones.
  
• Film and media production – Drone cinematography doesn’t stop at sunset anymore. With anti-collision lights and legal clearance baked into the rules, filmmakers can now capture aerial night shots for commercials, documentaries, and feature films without jumping through regulatory hoops. The gear’s already there—low-light sensors, dual-camera systems, precision GPS—and now the legal path is clearer too.
  

From fire departments in Colorado to utility providers in the Midwest, night flight is quickly becoming standard practice, not just an experimental edge case. If you’ve got the right gear and the right training, the dark isn’t a limitation. It’s a new layer of capability.

Night Flight Safety Tips for Drone Operators

Flying legally at night is one thing. Flying safely is another. The FAA may require specific lighting and training, but there’s more to a successful night mission than passing a test and flipping on a strobe.

Here’s what experienced operators do before launching after dark:

System Check	Status	Details
Ground Area Scouted	✅ Ready	Daylight inspection complete – hazards identified
Visual Observer Assigned	✅ Active	VO positioned and briefed on flight path
Anti-Collision Lighting	✅ On	Strobe visible from 3 SM – flash rate confirmed at 60 bpm
Remote ID	✅ Transmitting	Broadcast module or FRIA location confirmed
Red Ground Lighting	✅ Enabled	White lights off – red headlamps in use for screen visibility
Flight Log Prepared	✅ Logged	Location, airspace class, lighting model, pilot training recorded
Weather & Airspace Check	✅ Cleared	Forecast and LAANC/ATC status verified
Final Systems Sync	✅ Green	All checklists cleared – ready for night ops

• Scout the flight area during daylight – Daylight reconnaissance gives you a clear view of terrain, structures, power lines, and other obstacles that might be invisible at night. Mark hazards, assess your surroundings, and pre-plan your launch and recovery zones before the sun sets.
  
• Use red lights at your ground station – White lights destroy night vision. Red lighting preserves it, allowing pilots and observers to monitor screens, check flight logs, and communicate clearly without blinding each other. A small headlamp with a red filter can make a huge difference during longer operations.
  
  
• Add a visual observer (VO) – The FAA doesn’t require a second set of eyes, but it’s one of the smartest things you can do, especially when flying near obstacles, crowds, or in unfamiliar terrain. Your VO can help you maintain line of sight, spot approaching aircraft, and identify issues your FPV feed might miss.
• Log your flights and lighting specs – Documenting each night flight—location, airspace class, strobe light model, training credentials—gives you a paper trail if anything goes wrong. It also shows regulators, clients, or internal safety teams that you’re operating by the book.
  
• Double-check your lighting before takeoff – Just because the strobe is mounted doesn’t mean it’s working. Test visibility, flash rate, and battery charge before launch. The best gear in the world doesn’t help if it dies mid-flight.
  

Night flying opens up new opportunities and also new blind spots, both literal and legal. These precautions aren’t about overkill; they’re about making sure your night ops are repeatable, insurable, and safe for everyone involved.

Common Drone Night Flight Mistakes to Avoid

Even with updated FAA rules, the most common violations aren’t hidden in fine print—they’re obvious, repeatable, and avoidable. These aren’t rookie errors either. Experienced operators cut corners too, often out of habit or bad assumptions.

Here’s what to watch for:

• Using solid lights or underpowered strobes  – If your drone lights don’t flash between 40–100 times per minute, they don’t meet FAA anti-collision standards. Solid LEDs, glowing strips, or dim aftermarket kits may look cool, but they won’t save you from a violation or a collision.
  
• Flying with outdated training – If you haven’t completed the FAA’s updated night operations training (or can’t prove you did), your Part 107 privileges don’t include night flight. It doesn’t matter how many hours you’ve logged—if your certification is stale, so is your legal clearance.
  
• Ignoring Remote ID requirements  – Night flight doesn’t pause the Remote ID rule. If your drone isn’t broadcasting a compliant signal or if you’re outside a designated FRIA, you’re grounded—whether it’s noon or midnight.
  
• Mounting strobes in the wrong place  – Lights on the bottom of your drone aren’t useful to aircraft above you. Top-mounted strobes maximize visibility and better align with FAA expectations. Some operators run dual strobes for added coverage, which isn’t required, but it’s smart.
  
• Relying on forum advice instead of FAA sources – Reddit threads and YouTube tutorials are not legal references. If your compliance strategy is based on “some guy online,” you’re flying on faith, not facts.
  

These mistakes cost operators money, credibility, and flight privileges every year. Avoiding them isn’t hard—it just takes a little more prep and a lot less ego.

FAA-Compliant Night Flight Gear, Training, and Support

Flying drones at night shouldn’t feel like guesswork. Whether you're building a night ops program from scratch or upgrading your current setup, we carry the gear and training solutions to get you there legally and safely.

• Shop FAA-compliant strobe lights with certified 3-mile visibility
  
• Explore night-ready drones with thermal payloads, dual sensors, and top-mount lighting options
  
• Get support for public safety teams and commercial programs building out SOPs for low-light operations
  

If you’re unsure what lighting or training you need, our Dronefly team can walk you through it—no fluff, just what works.