Drone Flying

Drone Flying

The use of any unmanned aircraft or drone above the Port of Dover is a controlled activity which must be undertaken in compliance with the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Port of Dover) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations).

The Regulations have created a “Restricted Flying Zone” as shown on the map

• Flying Zone Map

Flying an unmanned aircraft or drone within the Restricted Flying Zone is expressly forbidden, unless authorisation is obtained from the Port of Dover Police.

To obtain authorisation, you must:

• Complete and submit the Drone Flying Application Form to the ATW Technical Clerk, either in hard copy or electronically to ATW@portofdover.com

• Drone Flying Application Form

• Provide all relevant supporting documentation as listed in the Drone Flying Application Form; and
• Pay the application fee. The application fee for 2026 is £204.40 plus VAT and will be reviewed annually. Payment should be made by BACS (Sort Code 30-93-34, Account Number 00193204) quoting ‘Drone-Application Fee’ or by debit or credit card (by calling our Central Admin/Finance Department on 01304 240400). Applications will not be processed until the application fee has been received in cleared funds.

An application for a Drone Flying Permit must be submitted at least 7 working days in advance of the intended flying date. Applications will be dealt with promptly, but turnaround times will depend on the supplied information, circumstances and the nature of the proposed drone use. It is advisable to give the Port of Dover Police as much notice as possible to avoid any unnecessary delays.

Applications will be considered by the Port of Dover Police for commercial flights only.

Where consent is granted, the Port of Dover Police will issue a Drone Flying Permit to the applicant, via the ATW Technical Clerk, and any conditions as stated in the permit will apply.

In view of the various potential hazards involved in flying a drone, whenever operationally practicable, Emergency Services must contact the Port of Dover Police on 01304 240427 before flying the drone over the Restricted Flying Zone.