How to Pass the EASA A1/A3 Drone Exam — Beginner's Guide 2026
The A1/A3 certificate of competence is the first step to becoming a legal drone pilot in Europe. Whether you just bought your first drone or you've been flying for years, this certificate is required for most operations in the EU's Open Category.
The good news? The exam is free (or very cheap), fully online, and very doable with the right preparation. This guide covers everything you need to know to pass it on your first attempt.
What Is the A1/A3 Certificate?
The A1/A3 certificate — officially called the certificate of competence for the Open Category — is required by EU Regulation 2019/947 for anyone flying a drone in subcategories A1 or A3. In practice, that means almost every drone pilot in Europe needs it.
You need this certificate if your drone weighs more than 250g, has a camera (regardless of weight), or if you want to fly in any area where you might encounter other people — which is essentially everywhere except completely isolated locations.
Who needs the A1/A3?
If you own a drone with a camera — including popular models like the DJI Mini 4 Pro, DJI Air 3, or DJI Mavic 3 — you need this certificate. Even sub-250g drones with cameras require operator registration and the A1/A3 certificate in most countries.
The Exam at a Glance
| Detail | A1/A3 Exam |
|---|---|
| Questions | 40 multiple-choice |
| Pass mark | 75% (30 out of 40) |
| Time limit | Varies by country (typically untimed or generous) |
| Format | Online, self-paced |
| Cost | Free – €25 (depends on country) |
| Validity | 5 years |
| Retakes | Unlimited in most countries |
| Valid where | All 31 EASA member states |
Where to Take the Exam
Each EASA member state has its own national aviation authority that administers the A1/A3 exam. In most countries, the exam is available directly on the authority's website — completely online and often free. Here are some of the most common providers:
| Country | Authority | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | LBA (via approved providers like Droniq) | Free – €25 |
| France | DGAC (via AlphaTango) | Free |
| Spain | AESA | Free |
| Italy | ENAC (via D-Flight) | Free |
| Netherlands | ILT / KIWA | ~€25 |
| Denmark | Trafikstyrelsen | Free |
| Austria | Austro Control | Free |
Your A1/A3 certificate is valid across all EASA member states, so it doesn't matter which country you take the exam in. Some pilots choose a country with a free, easier-to-access online exam even if it's not their home country.
What Topics Does the Exam Cover?
The A1/A3 exam covers 9 core knowledge areas. Here's what to expect and what to focus on:
1. Aviation Safety
The foundation: why drone regulations exist, risk management principles, and the safety-first mindset. This section is mostly common sense, but pay attention to specific terminology like "hazard", "risk", and "mitigation".
2. Airspace Restrictions
Where you can and can't fly. Know the basics of controlled airspace (CTR zones around airports), no-fly zones, and how to check for temporary restrictions (NOTAMs). You'll need to understand maximum altitude limits (120m in the Open Category) and why they exist.
3. Aviation Regulation
The legal framework: EU Regulation 2019/947 and 2019/945, the three categories (Open, Specific, Certified), subcategories A1/A2/A3, and C-class markings (C0–C4). This is one of the most question-heavy topics. Know which drone class goes in which subcategory.
4. Human Factors
How pilot performance is affected by stress, fatigue, alcohol, medications, and visual illusions. Understand the concept of "aeronautical decision making" — recognizing when conditions are unsafe and choosing not to fly.
5. Operational Procedures
Pre-flight planning, checklists, VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) requirements, and emergency procedures. Key concept: you must always maintain direct visual contact with your drone without aids (except prescription glasses). Know the VLOS distance calculation — typically 500m horizontal, but it depends on drone size and conditions.
6. UAS General Knowledge
Basic drone technology: how motors, propellers, batteries, GPS, and sensors work. Understand LiPo battery safety (storage voltage, never discharge below minimum, fire risks), what RTH (Return to Home) does, and what happens when the drone loses GPS signal.
7. Meteorology Basics
Wind, visibility, cloud types, and weather phenomena that affect drone flight. You don't need pilot-level meteorology knowledge, but you should understand the Beaufort scale, how wind affects small drones, and why you shouldn't fly in rain or fog.
8. Drone Flight Performance
How payload, wind, temperature, and altitude affect your drone's performance and battery life. Know that cold weather reduces battery capacity, high altitude means less air density (less lift), and strong winds dramatically reduce flight time.
9. Privacy and Data Protection
GDPR as it applies to drone photography and video. When do you need consent to film? What are the rules for flying over private property? This section catches many candidates off guard — don't skip it.
5 Tips to Pass on Your First Try
1. Don't underestimate it
The A1/A3 exam is not hard, but it's not trivial either. A 75% pass mark means you can only get 10 questions wrong out of 40. Many candidates fail on their first attempt because they assume they can wing it based on general drone knowledge. Set aside at least a few hours to study.
2. Focus on regulations and airspace
These two topics make up the largest share of questions. Know the subcategories (A1, A2, A3), the C-class system (C0 through C4), maximum altitudes, distance rules, and registration requirements. If you get these right, you're already halfway there.
3. Practice with realistic questions
Reading theory material is useful, but the best preparation is practicing with questions that match the real exam format. You'll get used to how questions are phrased (some can be tricky) and quickly identify which topics you need to review.
4. Know the numbers
The exam loves specific numbers: 120m maximum height, 250g threshold for C0, 900g for C1, 4kg for C2, 25kg for C3/C4, 150m distance in A3, 5.3m/s wind for Beaufort 3. Make a quick reference sheet and review it before the exam.
5. Read questions carefully
Many exam questions include words like "always", "never", "must", or "may". These matter. "You must always maintain VLOS" and "you should try to maintain VLOS" have very different implications. The correct answer is usually the most precise and safety-conscious option.
Practice before the real exam
DronePilot A1/A3 gives you 300+ practice questions covering all 9 exam topics, with detailed explanations for every answer. Simulate the real exam or study by category — available in 5 languages.
After You Pass
Once you pass the exam, you'll receive your A1/A3 certificate of competence — either immediately as a digital document or within a few days via email, depending on your country's system. The certificate is valid for 5 years and recognized across all EASA member states.
With your A1/A3 in hand, you can legally fly in subcategories A1 (over uninvolved people with light drones) and A3 (far from people with any drone up to 25kg). For most recreational pilots, this is all you'll ever need.
What about A2?
If you want to fly closer to people — particularly for commercial work in urban areas — you'll need to take the A2 certificate as your next step. The A2 builds on A1/A3 and allows you to fly at 30m from people (or 5m in low-speed mode). Read our complete A2 exam guide or check out the A1/A3 vs A2 comparison to see if you need it.
Summary
The EASA A1/A3 exam is the gateway to legal drone flying in Europe. It's accessible, affordable, and achievable with a few hours of focused study. Concentrate on regulations and airspace rules, practice with realistic exam questions, and don't skip the "soft" topics like privacy and human factors.
Once you pass, you'll have a certificate that's valid for 5 years across 31 countries — not bad for a free online exam. Good luck, and fly safe! ✈️