After the Task Force agreed that it was outside the scope of their objectives to debate or discuss the DOT Secretary’s decision to require registration, they undertook to develop and recommend a registration process that ensures accountability and encourages a maximum level of compliance. Here are their recommendations.

1. Drones between 250 grams (.55 pounds) and 55 pounds that are operated outdoors need to be registered
2. The registration is owner-based, so one number can apply to all the drones an owner has
3. Registration will be mandatory at the time of operation and not the point of sale
4. The owner’s name and street address will be mandatory (no P.O. Boxes).  Other information, such as email address or cell phone number will be  optional
5. There is no citizenship requirement
6. Minimum age to register is 13
7. No fee for registration
8. Registration will be web-based with the FAA to provide that site
9. A registration certificate will be mailed to the owner
10. The registration number (or the manufacturer’s serial number if permanently affixed to the drone) will need to be put on each drone
11. Penalty for non-compliance are in excess of $25,000.00

The FAA and DOT will review and implement these recommendations into their already-late regulation(s).

You can read the Task Force’s full report here. More coverage coming soon. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in:

• What we know about the FAA’s new drone registration requirement, and what we don’t