DroneScoutRemote ID in Saudi Arabia
Last reviewed: 2026-10-06
What is Remote ID? How the technology works: the standards, what a broadcast contains, and Bluetooth vs Wi-Fi transmission.
Drones in Saudi Arabia are regulated by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) under GACAR Part 107 (operation, now in version 5) and GACAR Part 48 (registration). Since 1 January 2026, every registered drone and model aircraft flown under Part 107 must be equipped with Direct Remote ID or Network Remote ID.
Two ways to comply
| Option | How it works | Can DroneScout see it? |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Remote ID | The drone broadcasts its identity and position over radio to devices nearby | Yes |
| Network Remote ID | The drone sends the same data over the network to a service | No — nothing is broadcast |
The rule for Direct Remote ID is almost word for word the EU's. The drone broadcasts, in real time for the whole flight and over an open, documented protocol that ordinary mobile devices can receive:
- the operator registration number
- the drone's or module's serial number
- a time stamp, the drone's position and height
- its course and ground speed
- the position of the pilot, or the take-off point
Network Remote ID carries the same data plus an emergency status, but it goes to the network only — see the FAQ for why no app nearby can receive it.
Who must register?
- A drone must be registered and marked if it weighs 250 g or more, or has a camera or another sensor that can capture personal, survey or geospatial data. Toys that meet none of these are exempt.
- Only Saudi citizens and foreign residents can register a drone, and only one not registered in another country. Registration needs clearance from GACA's aviation security division and is valid for three years.
- The drone must show its registration number. Drones approved for the specific category also carry an eligibility label or QR code.
Permit and pilot certificate
Even low-risk flights need paperwork. In the open category — under 25 kg, within sight, at most 120 m (400 ft), by day, at least 30 m from uninvolved people, not over populated areas and at least 8 km from controlled airports — the operator needs a Permit to Operate from GACA and the pilot an Open Remote Pilot Certificate. Everything else falls in the specific category and needs an authorisation based on a risk assessment.
Visitors
Because only citizens and residents can register, a visitor cannot register a drone in Saudi Arabia. GACA may authorise a pilot holding a foreign remote pilot certificate to fly a drone registered abroad. Ask GACA before you travel with a drone.
How to see it
Direct Remote ID follows the EU's requirements, which in the EU are met with ASD-STAN EN 4709-002 — a standard DroneScout implements, next to ASTM F3411, over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. A drone broadcasting Direct Remote ID in Saudi Arabia shows up live on DroneScout's map, on Android and iPhone. Drones that use only Network Remote ID do not appear. Which transports your phone can receive varies — see the FAQ. Rules in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates differ.