New Drone Laws In New Jersey (2025 Updated)

As te chnology advances, so do the ways people can use drones. While drones can be fun and entertaining, they also can be quite dangerous if not used correctly. Because of this, it is important to know and understand the laws regulating their use in New Jersey.

Drones are becoming increasingly popular, and with that popularity comes a need for regulation. There are federal regulations that drone users should be aware of.

This blog post will outline the current drone laws in New Jersey and provide tips on staying compliant with federal regulations. 

Also Read: Drone Laws in Virginia

General Drone Rules In New Jersey In 2025

Flying drones can be a lot of fun, but there are some things you need to keep in mind before taking your drone out for a spin.

So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pilot, make sure you go through this rulebook:

• You must fly your drone during the daytime and keep it within visual line of sight.
• You must yield the right of way to manned aircraft.
• You must not fly near airports or helipads.
• You must not fly over people or stadiums.
• You must not fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• You must maintain a safe distance from people and property.
• Drones must also be operated in a manner that does not endanger the life or property of others.
• In order to operate a drone, you must be at least 16 years of age
• You will need to register your drone with the FAA.
• Once you have registered your drone, you will be given a registration number which you must then mark on your drone.
• You must obtain a remote pilot license from the FAA if you plan to fly commercially.
• In addition to registering your drone, you must also follow the rules of controlled airspace.
• Drones are not allowed to fly over 400 feet of controlled airspace.
• Operators should always keep their distance from military bases and sensitive areas.
• The use of drones for hunting is illegal in New Jersey.
• It is also illegal to use drones to interfere with first responders, such as police officers, firefighters, and medical personnel.
• Drones cannot be equipped with weapons of any kind.

Also Read: Drone Laws in Poland

Penalties For Breaking Drone Laws in New Jersey

The penalties for breaking drone laws in New Jersey can range from a simple warning to up to a couple of years in prison.

So it’s important to be aware of the laws and regulations before flying your drone. Breaking the law can result in criminal charges, and you could end up facing jail time.

Loss of drone

According to the law, anyone operating a drone must do so in a safe and responsible manner. If a drone is being operated in an unsafe or irresponsible manner, law enforcement has the authority to seize the drone.

Examples of unsafe or irresponsible operations include flying near an airport or in a crowded area, flying above the approved height limit, or interfering with first responders.

If your drone is seized by law enforcement, you may face a loss of your drone and/or penalties. In some cases, you may also have your drone privileges revoked. 

Fines

Depending on the violation, you may be subject to civil or criminal fines if you operate your drone illegally. The amount of the fine will depend on the severity of the offense.

For example, flying your drone in a restricted area or flying it above the approved altitude limit can result in a civil fine. If you endanger people or aircraft with your drone, you could be fined and/or sent to prison.

Jail time

Depending on the severity of the offense, breaking drone laws could result in jail time. The amount of time served would be decided by the court and could range from a few days to several months.

In some cases, jail time may be served concurrently with a fine. Repeat offenders or those who commit more serious offenses could face longer jail sentences. In addition to any jail time imposed by the court, breaking drone laws could also result in the loss of your drone privileges.

Criminal Penalties

If you are caught breaking drone laws, you may face criminal penalties. These penalties can include a fine and/or jail time. Depending on the severity of the offense, you may also have your drone confiscated. This can be a major inconvenience, especially if you rely on your drone for work or other purposes.

In addition, a criminal record can make it difficult to find employment, travel, and obtain other opportunities. If you are convicted of a drone-related offense, you will likely have to comply with strict regulations and will be under close scrutiny from authorities.

Remote Pilot License

You will need a remote pilot license to fly a drone for business purposes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administers the remote pilot certification process, which includes a written test and a flight review.

You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a remote pilot certificate. You will also need a background check and a current U.S. passport or state-issued photo ID. There is no age limit for holding a remote pilot certificate, but you must renew it every two years.

Remote Pilot Exam

You will need to take and pass a remote pilot exam to obtain your remote pilot certificate. The exam covers topics such as airspace classification, meteorology, aeronautical decision-making, and crew resource management.

You can take the exam at an FAA-approved testing center or online through an approved provider. Once you have taken and passed the exam, you will be issued a remote pilot certificate, which is valid for two years.

Also Read: Drone License Renewal & Changes To Part 107 Testing

FAA’s Part 107 Regulations

The FAA’s Part 107 regulations are designed to ensure the safe operation of small drones in US airspace. The regulations restrict drone flights to daylight hours and require that they be kept within the visual line of sight of the operator.

In addition, the regulations prohibit flights over densely populated areas and near airports. Part 107 also requires that operators obtain a commercial drone license from the FAA before flying a drone for business purposes.

The regulations are intended to minimize the risks posed by drones to people and property on the ground, and they have been generally successful in doing so.

There have been a few reports of drones colliding with aircraft but no reports of serious injuries or fatalities resulting from such collisions.

Overall, the Part 107 regulations have helped to make drone flight safe and predictable, and they will continue to do so as drone technology advances.

Also Read: FAA TRUST Drone Exam: Why You Need This?

Registering Your Drone With FAA

FAA stands for Federal Aviation Administration. You must register your drone with the FAA before you can fly it. There are two ways to register your drone: online or by mail.

If you register online, you will need to create an account and provide your name, address, and email address.

You will also need to provide the make and model of your drone, as well as its serial number. Once you have registered, you will be given a registration number that you must affix to your drone.

The Federal Aviation Administration

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for regulating the use of drones in the United States. The agency has issued a number of rules and regulations governing the operation of drones, and it is important for drone operators to be aware of these rules.

The FAA requires that drones be registered with the agency and that they be operated in a safe and responsible manner.

Drone operators must also respect the privacy of others, and they must not operate their drones in a way that could endanger people or property.

Anyone who wants to operate a drone must obtain a license from the FAA, and it is important to follow all of the agency’s rules and regulations. The FAA is tasked with ensuring the safety of aircraft and passengers.

In recent years, the agency has turned its attention to drones, which have become increasingly popular with both hobbyists and businesses.

Operators must also follow certain rules and regulations, such as flying only during daylight hours and keeping the drone within sight at all times. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines and jail time.

Despite these restrictions, drones continue to grow in popularity, potentially revolutionizing industries such as package delivery and photography.

As the use of drones becomes more widespread, the FAA will need to adapt its rules and regulations to ensure that both drones and traditional aircraft can safely share the skies.

The UAS Commission

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Commission was established to study the feasibility of using drones in the National Airspace System (NAS). The Commission is composed of representatives from the aviation industry, government, and academia.

The Commission’s mission is to determine the best way to integrate drones into the NAS and to recommend any changes that may be needed to current regulations.

The Commission has released its final report, which includes a number of recommendations for integrating drones into the NAS. One of the most important recommendations is for the creation of a UAS Traffic Management (UTM) system.

This system would be similar to the air traffic control system that is used for manned aircraft. The UTM system would coordinate the movements of drones and ensure that they do not collide with each other or with other aircraft.

The Commission also recommended that drones be equipped with technology that would allow them to be detected and identified by other aircraft. This would help to prevent collisions between drones and manned aircraft.

Also Read: Drone Laws in Arizona

FAQs

Conclusion

The commercial use of drones is still in its early days, it’s important to be aware of the laws and regulations that are in place. The penalties for breaking these drone laws can be severe, so it’s best to educate yourself on what’s allowed and what isn’t.

If you’re looking to become a certified remote pilot, the FAA has released its Part 107 Regulations outlining all of the requirements to operate a drone commercially.

As unmanned aerial systems continue to evolve, it will be important for both businesses and individuals alike to stay up-to-date with the latest drone laws. Hope this article helped you; feel free to comment and share.