Drone Laws in Taiwan

Last updated on August 16th, 2023 at 05:51 pm

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Republic of China (Taiwan)

Drone Regulator in Taiwan: Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA)

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UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Taiwan

CAA, the Taiwanese agency responsible for drone safety, has provided details on flying for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details, go to the link above.

Are drones allowed in Taiwan?

According to CAA, drones are allowed in Taiwan, subject to CAA regulations. Read on for details.

Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Taiwan:

• Avoid flying your drone directly over people or large crowds. 
• Never fly your drone above 120 meters. 
• When flying your drone, be considerate of others’ privacy. 
• Avoid flying your drone over airports or in areas frequented by aircraft. 
• You must fly during daylight hours and only in favorable weather. 
• Avoid flying your drone over sensitive areas like government or military installations. Drones or camera drones are not permitted in these areas.
• It is prohibited to fly over crowds, events, and parades. 
• Highways, expressways, railways, mass transit systems, buildings, and other obstacles should be kept at a distance of 30 meters. 
• Drone flights are permitted only within a visual line of sight (300 meters). 
• Without prior authorization, drone flights are limited to daylight hours, i.e., between sunrise and sunset. 
• The copter’s distance from the pilot must not exceed 900 meters (with an observer). 
• One hundred sixty kilometers per hour is the top speed. 
• Drones must not be piloted from moving objects, such as moving automobiles. 
• A pilot is not permitted to operate two or more drones concurrently.

Registration and Certification Requirements for Drones in Taiwan?

The CAA has implemented the following regulations, which require registration and certification for certain drone operations. 

• To register your drone, you must be at least 16 years old (+ if you are under 20, you will need the consent of your legal guardian.) 
• Drones weighing more than 250 g must be registered with the CAA. 
• On the remote-control drone, the registration number must be visible. 
• Regardless of weight, all remote-control drones operated by government agencies, schools, or legal entities must be registered. 
• A drone operator permit is required for drones weighing more than 2 kg, as well as government agencies, schools, and legal entities that operate drones. 
• All commercial drone operations require a Business Operation Certificate.

No Fly zones in Taiwan

Numerous no-fly zones exist. Alternatively, you can check which requirements apply at your current location using the “SkySentry” app. 

Certain national parks require an application before flying there. 

Airports, military bases, national parks, and other locations designated by the government, local officials, or private property owners (without approval) are prohibited. 

You cannot fly within 2.6 kilometers of the airport’s sides or a 5-kilometer radius of the airport’s mid-end points. Additionally, you are not permitted to fly within 60 meters of the airport within a 6-kilometer radius on either side or within a 10-kilometer radius of the airport’s mid-end points. 

Refer to the civil aviation department for additional no-fly zones.

Note for Foreign Operators

Foreigners must obtain approval from the Civil Aviation Administration before flying a drone in Taiwan. 

Your application must include the following documents:

• Application
• Passport photocopy 
• The drone registration, inspection, and operation certificate issued by a foreign country or region.
• A Chinese translation must accompany the certificate if it is not in English. 

Foreigners’ remote control drone registration, inspection, and operation permits shall be valid for no more than six months from the date of issuance.

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Taiwan

You do not require a permit or license. 

However, there are strict rules based on the weight of your drone, your flight zones, and a code of conduct that all operators must follow. 

If the weight of your drone exceeds 250 grams, you must register it. 

With this in mind, you must fly: 

·      away from crowds, events, and parades at a maximum altitude of 122 meters. 

·      Thirty meters away from highways, expressways, railways, public transportation systems, structures, and other impediments. 

·      Only within a visual range of 300m (maximum 900 meters away from you with an observer) and during the daytime. 

·      At a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour 

·      Operate only one drone at a time 

·      Do not fly a drone from a moving vehicle

Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Taiwan

To use your drone commercially, you must register it with the CAA. 

You will require insurance to cover your flying activities in Taiwan. 

Legal entities must register and obtain a pilot license for their drones regardless of weight. 

See the general rules above

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Useful published information on flying drones in Taiwan

Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in Taiwan…

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NOTE: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model Aircraft, toy, remote-controlled, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.

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Traveling with a Drone?

Click here to read our Comprehensive Guide For Traveling With A Drone.

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