Thailand CAAT Drone License Renewal & Ownership Transfer Guide 2026
Drone documents in Thailand do not all expire on the same schedule. The NBTC คท.30 certificate is valid for the entire service life of that drone and has no renewal cycle, while the CAAT pilot permit is valid for 2 years and the third-party liability insurance policy for 1 year — both must be renewed on schedule. In addition, when a second-hand drone is bought or sold, the previous owner and the new owner must legally transfer the registration. Letting the CAAT permit or the insurance expire, or flying a drone registered in someone else's name, is an offence.
1. Drone License Renewal
A drone permit is divided into 2 key parts whose validity periods must be maintained:
- NBTC License (คท.30): is valid and does not need periodic renewal (but if you change the aircraft or the radio specification, you must update the record in the system)for the lifetime of that drone
- CAAT pilot registration document: It has a validity period and must be renewed when it expires.2 years
- Third-party liability insurance: It has a validity period and must be renewed every year — you should renew at least 30 days ahead, then take the new policy and update it in CAAT's UAS Portal system.1 year
The NBTC side (คท.30) has no expiry date and no renewal cycle, so there is nothing to renew in advance. What you do need to do is log in to anyregis.nbtc.go.th with your existing account and file an update when you change the drone, change the controller or change the radio specification, refreshing the Serial Number photos so they match the equipment you actually fly. On the CAAT side, renew the insurance policy at least 30 days ahead, then upload the new policy to the UAS Portal (uasportal.caat.or.th). Full steps are in the article How to Renew Your CAAT Drone License 2026 — and What Never Expires on the NBTC Side.
Comparison: license renewal vs ownership transfer
| Topic | License renewal (Renewal) | Ownership transfer (Transfer) |
|---|---|---|
| When to use | License or insurance policy nearing expiry; still flying the same drone under the previous owner's name. | Buying or selling a used drone requires transferring the legal owner |
| Operator | The original owner who holds the licence | The seller cancels the registration under the previous name, and the buyer registers anew under their own name. |
| Main documents | A new third-party insurance policy of no less than 1 million baht | Rights-transfer consent letter, copy of the seller's ID card, new policy in the buyer's name, photographs of the drone. |
| Channel | AnyRegis (NBTC) and UAS Portal (CAAT) | File a new registration with both the NBTC and the CAAT. |
| Government fee (NBTC) | No renewal fee (คท.30 has no renewal cycle) | A transfer fee applies at the rate set by the NBTC |
2. Steps to transfer ownership of a used drone (Ownership Transfer)
Have the seller endorse the drone transfer consent letter.
The seller must sign a consent-to-transfer document and notify cancellation of the drone registration under the old name, along with a copy of the seller's ID card.
The buyer takes out third-party liability insurance under the new buyer's name.
The new buyer must arrange a third-party liability insurance policy (coverage of no less than 1,000,000 baht) in the new buyer's own name and surname.
Apply for new registration with the NBTC and CAAT.
Submit the transfer document, the new insurance policy, and photos of the drone to request a new permit in the buyer's name.
Absolutely do not fly before the ownership transfer is complete.
The pilot must always be listed as the owner and hold a valid licence before flying. Taking out a drone whose ownership has not yet been transferred constitutes flying without a pilot licence and unlawfully using someone else's radio frequency — the NBTC-side offense carries a maximum penalty of up to 5 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 100,000 THB. Details can be read in the article. Penalties and fines for flying a drone without registration in Thailand
Checklist before accepting a second-hand drone transfer
- Request a rights-transfer consent letter signed by the seller, together with a copy of their ID card, and confirm that the seller has already cancelled the registration under the original name.
- Check that the Serial Number on the aircraft and the remote controller matches the documents (it is usually located near the battery compartment or on the underside of the aircraft).
- Take out a third-party policy of no less than 1,000,000 baht in the buyer's name before filing, together with clear photos of the drone and its Serial Number (file no larger than 1 MB).
- Allow time for the approval process, because CAAT may take several weeks, and while awaiting approval you must not fly the drone.
Filing a new registration in the buyer's name follows every step of the initial registration. Read the guide at How to register a drone with the NBTC, every step
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Letting your CAAT license or insurance expire and then continuing to fly — is that an offense?
is an offense under the Air Navigation Act B.E. 2497 (1954), punishable by imprisonment of up to 1 year or a fine of up to 40,000 baht, or both. You should renew the policy at least 30 days in advance and update it in the UAS Portal immediately.
How long is the NBTC คท.30 certificate valid, and does it need renewing?
The คท.30 certificate is valid for the entire service life of that drone, so it has no renewal cycle and no expiry date. What you must do is file an update in the AnyRegis system when you change the aircraft, change the controller or change the radio specification. The 214 THB fee (VAT included) is the initial registration fee; a further fee is charged when filing an update or a transfer, at the rate set by the NBTC.
I bought a second-hand drone — can I fly first and transfer the name later?
No. The pilot must always be named as the holder and possess a valid license before flying; otherwise it is an offense of flying without a pilot license and unlawfully using someone else's radio frequency.
What documents must the seller and the buyer prepare when transferring a second-hand drone?
The seller signs a consent letter transferring the rights and files to cancel the registration under the previous name, together with a copy of their ID card. The buyer prepares a third-party liability policy of not less than 1 million THB in their own name, photos of the drone and the Serial Number, and then files for new registration with both the NBTC and CAAT.
How long does an ownership transfer take to be approved?
The NBTC side is usually faster when the documents are complete, while CAAT can take several weeks (around 15–20 working days in some periods). While awaiting approval, you must absolutely not fly the drone.