US Virgin Islands Drone Laws

As drone use has increased, the many regulations and requirements created to govern drone use have increased as well.

Despite the seeming uniformity of drone design, drone laws vary widely from place to place, and may even vary from state to state or province to province.

To make sure that you are operating your drone well within the bounds of the law, you should always perform a thorough bit of research into the area you are planning to fly your drone over.

What are the rules and restrictions for flying drones in the US Virgin Islands?

The Basics: Is Registration Required?

At the time of this writing in 2021, a simple type of drone registration is required to utilize your drone in the US Virgin Islands, provided that you are using your drone recreationally.

Commercial drone use also does require a permit, and may come along with its own unique set of rules and regulations.

Although drone insurance is not a prerequisite for drone registration, many governing bodies do recommend investing in some form of drone insurance, in order to reduce any potential liabilities associated with drone accidents.

These regulations may be changing within the next year, so checking frequently with local authorities is wise, to avoid hefty penalties and fines.

Drone Location Restrictions

The drone use restrictions regarding location are fairly standard in the US Virgin Islands.

Drones may not be used within 8 km of an airport in the islands, to prevent the risk of interfering with or in any way impairing aircraft.

This includes large airports and smaller, regional airports, as the case may be.

Private property is also off limits for use, which includes any private property that may be home to private hangars or other sources of aircraft.

Drones should also not be used in areas that are related to military installations or operations.

This is due in part to the safety needs of the military operations, themselves, and in part to the safety of the drone user, as they may put themselves at risk by invading private airspace.

When selecting a drone location, be sure to check with any local authorities or simply consult a military-inclusive map to make sure you are not putting yourself or others at risk.

Drones are also not permitted in national parks in the US Virgin Islands.

The reasons for this are vast, but are in part designed to make sure that all national park visitors are able to enjoy their stay without fear of harm or the destruction of views.

Bans on drone use in national parks were also put in place to protect local wildlife; drones can cause damage to trees and other foliage, and can cause wind and other disturbances that can have a detrimental effect on local wildlife populations.

To prevent receiving hefty fines and other penalties, do not use your drone inside or over the top of national park in the Islands.

Drone Timing Restrictions

At this time, drone usage is typically restricted to the daylight hours.

Daylight is necessary to safely fly a drone, because low light and other conditions that negatively impact visibility can easily result in you losing sight of your drone and, consequently, losing control of your drone.

Drones may also not be used in areas that are experiencing emergency conditions of any kind, in part to prevent any visibility issues on the part of the drone operator, and in part to prevent visibility and maneuverability issues on the part of emergency responders.

If you are aware of any emergency issues in the area you are traveling to—from a simple car accident to a large wildfire—you must avoid the area and select another space for your drone adventures.

Upcoming Changes

Although the drone restrictions identified above are accurate for the year 2021 and before, there have been reports of some changes coming in 2022.

In 2022, drones will be required to broadcast their location as they fly, including their speed and altitude, in order to protect the safety and privacy of others.

Along with this stricter set of requirements comes some easing of restrictions: at the same time that drone broadcast signals will be required, the government will allow drones to be flown at night and over people or crowds, with some restrictions.

To get ahead of these changes, make sure any new or existing drones are equipped with the technology required to safely use drones in the US Virgin Islands.

These drones are able to broadcast simple information to governing bodies, in order to make sure all drones are adhering to the safety regulations created by the federal government.

Flying Drones in the US Virgin Islands

Drone use in the Virgin Islands largely follow the same federal rules as those followed in the continental United States.

Most drone rules in the US Virgin Islands were created with safety and privacy in mind, as these are two of the issues usually focused on by local and federal governments when drone use is called into question.

To effectively adhere to all safety standards set forth by the government, you must closely follow all of the rules and regulations set forth.

Even if a rule does not seem pertinent o r necessary to you, closely following all guidelines will ensure that you are operating your drone according to the letter of the law, and will prevent you from incurring any punishment doled out by the government.

Although drones themselves are considered largely safe pieces of equipment, they do post some risks if they are not used properly.

Drone delivery and low-flying drones can result in causing harm to others, while failing to keep a drone in your line of sight and operating a drone in low visibility can cause damage to the property of others.

When taking your drone out for a flight, take some time to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and any other drone users in the area, as both can pose a hazard to you and others nearby.