Recreational Drone Rules and Preemption in North Carolina

Recreational drone operators in NC must pass the state UAS knowledge test administered by the Department of Transportation Division of Aviation, in addition to FAA TRUST. State law bans using drones to conduct surveillance of a person or private property without consent and prohibits weaponizing drones. Operators may not photograph people on private property in ways that intrude on reasonable privacy expectations. Local governments cannot regulate flight altitude, paths, or pilot qualifications because those are preempted by state and federal law, though they may regulate takeoff and landing on city property.

Surveilling a person without consent, weaponizing a drone, flying without the state knowledge test, or interfering with manned aircraft can result in misdemeanor or felony charges.