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Drone Laws in the Dominican Republic

Summary of Drone Laws in the Dominican Republic

Hobbyist Drone Laws For Residents of the Dominican Republic

Drone Operations in the Dominican Republic are currently regulated.


  • Hobbyist drone flights are allowed in the Dominican Republic
  • Hobbyist Dominican Republic drone pilot license is not required
  • Hobbyist Drone registration is not required in the Dominican Republic for hobbyists
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in the Dominican Republic for hobbyists
  • Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for hobbyists’ drone operations in the Dominican Republic

Read below for more details on Hobbyist Drone Laws in the Dominican Republic and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Commercial Drone Laws For Residents of the Dominican Republic

Drone Operations in the Dominican Republic are currently regulated.


  • Commercial drone flights are allowed in the Dominican Republic
  • Commercial Dominican Republic drone pilot license is not required
  • Commercial Drone registration is not required in the Dominican Republic for commercial drone operators
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in the Dominican Republic for Commercial Drone Operators
  • Drone Insurance is not required for commercial drone operations in the Dominican Republic

Read below for more details on Commercial Drone Laws in the Dominican Republic and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Drone Regulations For Visitors To the Dominican Republic

Drone Operations in the Dominican Republic are currently regulated.


  • Foreign visitor drone flights are allowed in the Dominican Republic
  • Foreign visitor drone pilot license is not required
  • Drone registration/authorization is required in the Dominican Republic for visitors/tourists
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in the Dominican Republic for tourists
  • Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for tourist drone operations in the Dominican Republic

Read below for more details on Drone Laws in the Dominican Republic for Visitors (Tourists) and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Drone Rules For Government Drone Operators in the Dominican Republic

Drone Operations in the Dominican Republic are currently regulated.


  • Government drone flights are allowed in the Dominican Republic
  • Government drone pilot license is required
  • Drone registration is required in the Dominican Republic for Government operations
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in the Dominican Republic for Government operations
  • Drone Insurance is not required for Government drone operations in the Dominican Republic

Read below for more details on Drone Laws in the Dominican Republic for Government Drone Operations and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Dominican Republic

Drone Regulator in Dominican Republic: Dominican Republic’s Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics, or Instituto Dominicano de Aviación Civil  (IDAC)

Contact Information

If you need additional details we have not covered or specific case help, contact IDAC at:

  • Address: Instituto Dominicano De Aviación Civil, Ave. México Esquina. 30 De Marzo, Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, República Dominicana.
  • Phone:  809-221-7909 |  809-273-2888 |  809-274-4322
  • Email info@idac.gov.do

Please continue reading for more details on Drone Laws.


UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic agency responsible for drone safety, IDAC, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details go to the link above.

Are drones allowed in the Dominican Republic?

According to IDAC, drones are allowed in the Dominican Republic, subject to IDAC regulations. Read on for more details.

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

In the Dominican Republic, drone operations are classified primarily by weight, not by type of use.

As of April 2018, you will not need a permit if your drone weighs less than 4.4 pounds (two kilograms). 

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

  • Drones weighing more than 4.4 pounds must be registered and insured with the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC). 
  • Drones weighing less than 4.4 pounds are not required to be registered. 
  • You must not operate your drone in a manner that endangers people or property or violates privacy rights. 
  • Avoid flying your drone in inclement weather. The operator must maintain visual contact with the drone. 
  • Avoid changing operators of the drone while it is in flight. 
  • After sunset, do not operate the drone unless you get special authorization. You must illuminate the drone to be seen at a distance of at least one nautical mile. 
  • Never operate a drone carelessly. 
  • Do not operate drones within five nautical miles of any airport or airfield. 
  • Operate only over dangerous or restricted areas with prior authorization from Air Traffic Control. 
  • Never operate more than one drone concurrently. 
  • Never operate a drone while impaired by drugs or alcohol. 
  • Avoid launching objects from drones. 
  • Avoid flying drones over areas where firefighters are operating. 
  • Drones weighing more than 4.4 pounds may not be operated more than 1,650 feet away from the operator or 400 feet vertically. Drones weighing less than 4.4 pounds cannot fly more than 1500 feet away or 400 feet vertically. 
  • Drones weighing more than 4.4 pounds cannot fly faster than 87 knots (100 mph), and drones weighing less than 4.4 pounds cannot fly faster than 30 knots (34 mph). 
  • Drones may not be operated from a vehicle except for a watercraft.

IDAC added some clarification on rules as follows1:

  • Drone Regulation is RAD-48. In addition to controlling the air passage, it means more operational safety and that no accident or incident occurs.
  • The airports, the National Palace, the Ministry of Defense, the San Isidro Air Base, the Dominican Oil Refinery, the Naval Base of Las Calderas, and the military commandos or camps are restricted areas for boarding drones.
  • Operation is regulated to ensure their correct use and prevent them from representing a security risk or violating Dominicans’ privacy. Natural or legal persons who wish to operate a drone over 4.4 pounds must apply for a permit. Otherwise, penalties are established for violating the rules.

Notes For Foreign Operators 

We recommend you obtain permission from IDAC before entering the country, as the airport’s customs department frequently holds this type of item to charge duty taxes. Getting a letter of permission before your arrival will facilitate your entry into the Dominican Republic. 

Allow some time for the application process, which can take up to 25 business days to complete.


Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in The Dominican Republic

See the general notes above.


Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in The Dominican Republic

See the general notes above.


Useful published information on flying drones in The Dominican Republic

Here you can find the IDAC video guide on the use of drones (in Spanish): https://www.idac.gob.do/es/el-idac-orienta-sobre-uso-de-drones/

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


Authoritative Sources of Information on the Dominican Republic Drone Laws

We will attempt to keep an updated list of online authoritative links to regulators and other official websites here:



NOTE: This page is about the Regulation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: 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.


Find out why

We think you must use a Drone Preflight Checklist

And a Drone Post-flight checklist

Free Drone Flight Checklist PDF

This Drone Flight Checklist is better than others.

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It includes both the preflight checklist and post-flight checklist

It’s an easy-to-use printable PDF that covers all your bases.


Traveling with a Drone?

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



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  1. https://www.idac.gob.do/es/idac-aclara-sobre-permiso-uso-de-drones/ ↩︎

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4 responses to “Drone Laws in the Dominican Republic”

  1. Mike

    So after some emails with the IDAC in the Dominican Republic I was told there were no issues with flying the DJI mini 2. I did contact the resort and they said no problem at all to fly but just follow laws and be aware of guests. 400 ft Mac altitude and 1500 ft distance. I printed out all emails and no issues at customs at all.

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      Thanks for the update. This will be helpful to others

  2. Zen

    Hi
    I’m from USA and I’m planning to go to Dominican Republic and i bring a drone(Dji mini2)weighing less than 4.4 pounds andI stay at the resort(RiuPalace Punta Cana)
    I would like to ask, can I fly a drone and do I need a permit?Thank you for answer.

    1. Merlin at Drone Laws

      We recommend you check with the regulator and the resort. Please let us know what you find

Leave a Comment

4 thoughts on “Drone Laws in the Dominican Republic”

  1. So after some emails with the IDAC in the Dominican Republic I was told there were no issues with flying the DJI mini 2. I did contact the resort and they said no problem at all to fly but just follow laws and be aware of guests. 400 ft Mac altitude and 1500 ft distance. I printed out all emails and no issues at customs at all.

    Reply
  2. Hi
    I’m from USA and I’m planning to go to Dominican Republic and i bring a drone(Dji mini2)weighing less than 4.4 pounds andI stay at the resort(RiuPalace Punta Cana)
    I would like to ask, can I fly a drone and do I need a permit?Thank you for answer.

    Reply

Leave a Comment