​​​How to Register Your Drone in Brunei Darussalam for 

Personal or Commercial Use

​

Flying a drone in Brunei Darussalam is an exciting way to explore and capture the beauty of this unique country. However, it’s important to comply with local regulations to ensure safe and legal operations. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you register your drone in Brunei Darussalam.

All drones in Brunei, regardless of their purpose (personal or commercial), are required to be registered with the Department of Civil Aviation Brunei. The only exceptions are toy drones and foreigners bringing in their drones during transit or a short stay in Brunei, which do not need to be registered.

Step 1: Understand the Regulations

Before you start the registration process, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the do's and don'ts of operating a drone set by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) under the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications which are in place to ensure the safety of both drone operators and the general public.​​

Do's

1. Register Your Drone:
   • Ensure your drone is registered with the Department of Civil Aviation Brunei (DCA).
     
2. Maintain Visual Line of Sight:
   • Always keep your drone within your visual line of sight (VLOS) while flying, flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) is prohibited.
3. Fly in Safe Areas:
   • Operate your drone in open, safe areas away from people, animals, and property.
4. Respect Privacy:
   • Avoid flying over private property without permission and respect the privacy of others.
     
5. Keep Altitude in Check:
   • Fly your drone at a safe and legal altitude, do not operate your drone more than 200 feet (~60 meters) above mean sea level (AMSL).
6. Perform Pre-Flight Checks:
   • Conduct thorough pre-flight checks to ensure your drone is in good working condition.
7. Monitor Weather Conditions:
   • Fly in good weather conditions and avoid operating your drone in strong winds, rain, or other adverse weather.
8. Stay Informed:
   • Stay updated on any changes to drone regulations by regularly checking the DCA website.
     

Don'ts

1. Don't Fly Near Airports or Restricted Areas:
   • Avoid flying within 5 kilometers of airports, heliports, military bases, and other restricted areas.
2. Don't Operate at Night:
   • Do not fly your drone after sunset or in low-light conditions without proper authorization.
3. Don't Fly Over Crowded Places:
   • Avoid flying over crowds, public events, or densely populated areas.
4. Don't Exceed Maximum Altitude:
   • Do not fly your drone above the maximum altitude limit set by the DCA.
5. Don't Ignore No-Fly Zones:
   • Always check for no-fly zones and respect them.
6. Don't Fly Beyond Your Control Range:
   • Ensure your drone remains within the control range to prevent loss of control or signal.
7. Don't Operate Under the Influence:
   • Never fly your drone under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any impairing substances.
8. Don't Endanger People or Property:
   • Avoid any actions that could pose a danger to people, animals, or property.
9. Don't Disrupt Public Safety:
   • Do not fly your drone in a manner that could disrupt public safety or emergency operations.
10. Don't Ignore Maintenance:
    • Regularly maintain your drone and do not ignore any required maintenance or repairs.

By following these do's and don'ts, you can ensure that your drone operations in Brunei Darussalam are safe, legal, and respectful of others. 

Any violation of the rules as mentioned above is an offense in accordance with Civil Aviation Order 2006 Part X, General, Offences and Penal Provision, Para 51 (1) the offender shall be guilty of an offense and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or imprisonments for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.​

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

To register your drone, you will need the following documents and make sure to compile all of the documents in one PDF:

For Personal Use

• Copy of IC/Passport (Colored): Attach a colored copy of your identification document (e.g., IC, passport).
• Passport Size Picture of the Applicant: Attach a 4x4 passport-sized photograph of the applicant.
• Picture of the Whole Drone: Attach a clear photograph of the entire drone.
• Picture of the Drone's Serial Number: Attach a close-up photograph of the drone's serial number​ on the drone and not on the box.
  
• Picture of the Remote Control (if applicable): If your drone uses a remote control, attach a photograph of it.
  

For Commercial Use

Step 3: Complete the Registration Form

Download Form UAS001​, then open the PDF form and fill it out using a compatible software or application. Use the provided fields to enter the required information accurately. Double-check the form for any errors or missing details before proceeding.

The form requires a signature, use the digital signature feature available in your PDF software or application.

Important: Please note that taking a picture of the form will not be accepted. It is crucial to complete the form digitally and submit it as a properly filled and signed PDF document.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Submit the completed registration form along with the required documents to our email address unmanned.aircraft@dca.gov.bn and ensure that you keep copies of all the documents for your records.

Step 5: Await Approval

Once your application is submitted, Brunei DCA will review your documents and process your registration. This may take up to one week, so it’s advisable to submit your application well in advance of any planned drone operations.

Step 6: Receive Your Registration Approval Letter

Upon approval, you will receive a drone approval registration letter through email from Brunei DCA with the newly allocated drone registration number specifically only for the registered drone. 

Note for Transit and Short-Stay Visitors

For individuals bringing in their drones during transit or a short stay in Brunei, there is no objection to bringing in your drone. Registering your drone is not necessary if you are not planning to operate it. However, if you decide to fly your drone in Brunei, please be aware that you will be solely responsible for any unwanted circumstances that may occur while operating your drone. This includes any damage to property, injury to individuals, or violation of any laws or regulations.​

Importing Drones to Brunei

Regarding importing drones to Brunei, please note that the Brunei DCA only provides drone registration and operational oversight(drone flying permit) services. If you wish to import a drone, you must apply for an import permit through the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI). You can visit the AITI website to apply for the import permit and find more information on the process.​

If you encounter any difficulties or have further inquiries, you can email Brunei DCA Unmanned Aircraft Unit at unmanned.aircraft@dca.gov.bn​ or contact +673 2330142 ext. 1455 during office hours for assistance.