South America
Guyana
GCAA — Directive GCAA/ASR/DIR/2017-01 R1
Guyana regulates drones under a GCAA directive (2017, revised 2020). Recreational model aircraft up to 7 kg without a camera or data transmission are exempt from a permit, but any drone that transmits images — meaning almost every camera-equipped tourist drone — loses the exemption and needs a written GCAA permit.
General limit of 150 m above the ground; the drone must stay within 500 m of the pilot.
No permit is needed for recreational model aircraft ≤7 kg without a camera or data transmission; any drone that transmits images instead needs a written permit from the GCAA (letter to the Director General + drone information sheet + ID/passport for foreign applicants, typically around 29 days). There's no online registration portal: the process is by letter/email to dronesunit@gcaa-gy.org.
A recognized training certificate is required (or demonstrating competency directly to the GCAA) for anyone outside the 'model aircraft' exemption above; the GCAA also accepts certificates issued by other ICAO states.
Required only for commercial operations; not for exempt recreational flying.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Forbidden within aerodrome traffic zones without GCAA and air traffic control permission. Approval is required within 150 m of public gatherings, 100 m of vehicles/structures not under the operator's control, and 50 m of people; at least 30 m from anyone other than the pilot during take-off/landing. Forbidden within 1 km of restricted zones, official residences, military bases and police headquarters, and within 1 km of helipads. Forbidden at night, in low visibility, and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without specific written authorization; written permission from the property owner is also required to fly over private property.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Data verified against the full text of the official GCAA/ASR/DIR/2017-01 R1 directive (revised 2020), downloaded from the GCAA website.
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For Guyana, the official reference remains GCAA — Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. No permit is needed for recreational model aircraft ≤7 kg without a camera or data transmission; any drone that transmits images instead needs a written permit from the GCAA (letter to the Director General + drone information sheet + ID/passport for foreign applicants, typically around 29 days). There's no online registration portal: the process is by letter/email to dronesunit@gcaa-gy.org.
How this usually works
In most systems, the pilot license (or "certificate") is a theory exam, often entirely online and free, covering the basics: airspace, safety distances, privacy. It's nothing like a driving license, but it's still a legal requirement. Most systems have more than one level: an entry-level exam for flights further from people and built-up areas, and a more thorough one if you want to fly closer. The certificate is usually valid for a few years before it needs renewing. The exam and certificate are handled by GCAA — Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. A recognized training certificate is required (or demonstrating competency directly to the GCAA) for anyone outside the 'model aircraft' exemption above; the GCAA also accepts certificates issued by other ICAO states.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.