Cost of the EU Drone License

Cost of obtaining a drone certificate

A complete overview of all the courses we offer, with prices.

All course prices include VAT and the exam. At Drone Class you can retake the exam free of charge and as often as you like within your 30-day access, so an extra exam attempt costs nothing extra.

→ Use our selection guide to see which certificate you need.

Every cost item explained

The basic certificate A1/A3: 99 euros

For 99 euros you get the full online course plus the exam. You learn at your own pace and then take an exam of 40 multiple-choice questions. Fail? Then you retake it for free, as often as necessary. This certificate is mandatory for every drone from 250 grams.

The additional certificate A2: 99 euros

For anyone with a heavier, more capable drone (C2 label, up to 4 kilos) who doesn't want to fly only over unpopulated areas. The course and the exam are in the same clear online learning environment, with practice exams and free unlimited retakes. The exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions and you take it online, wherever and whenever you like. With our pass rate of 95%, you'll usually pass on the first try.

The A2 exam builds on the knowledge from your basic certificate. If you obtain both shortly after each other, the material is still fresh and you're done in one go. You can always purchase it separately later, but then you'll partly redo the theory. That's why the bundle (the complete EU Drone License for 189 euros) is not only cheaper than both certificates separately, but also more time-efficient.

The RDW issue fee: 20 euros

The certificate itself is not issued by the training provider, but by the RDW (Rijksdienst Wegverkeer, authority from the Netherlands). After you pass your exam, Drone Class registers you with the RDW, and you pay 20 euros for the official issue of the EASA certificate. That certificate is then valid for five years throughout the EU, plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.

What does renewal cost after 5 years?

Your EU Drone License is valid for five years. After that, you renew it with a refresher course, which costs 79 euros plus a 20-euro RDW issue fee. So you don't have to redo the full course: the refresher course is a shortened version in which your knowledge is updated with the latest regulatory changes, followed by a new exam. If you pass (with at least 75%), your certificate is valid for another five years.

You must renew before your certificate expires. The RDW does not accept renewals after the expiry date. If you're too late, your certificate lapses and you have to redo the full 99-euro course, so the same amount, but it takes you more time and you're without a valid license in the meantime. Renewal is usually possible from three months before the expiry date.

Why prices differ between providers

Online you'll see different prices for the same A1/A3 certificate. That difference says little about the certificate itself, because it is the same official EASA document from the RDW everywhere.

The difference lies in what surrounds it: the quality of the learning environment, the exam and the option to retake it, and whether there is Dutch-language explanation and support. So when comparing, don't just look at the entry price, but at what you actually get for it.

At Drone Class you pay 99 euros including the exam and unlimited free retakes, with a pass rate of 95% (first attempt).

Is a drone pilot license worth the investment?

Compared with the fines for flying illegally (which run from hundreds to thousands of euros), it is a small and mandatory investment. More importantly: you learn the rules that prevent you from flying your drone somewhere you're not allowed to, and prevent you from being a danger to others. That is the real value.

Frequently asked questions

What does a drone pilot license cost in the Netherlands?

The basic certificate A1/A3 costs 99 euros at Drone Class, including course and exam. On top of that comes a 20-euro RDW issue fee.

The additional certificate A2 costs 99 euros at Drone Class, including course and exam. On top of that comes a 20-euro RDW issue fee.

The combined course includes the A1/A3 course and costs 189 euros at Drone Class, including course and exam. On top of that comes 2 x 20 euros in RDW issue fees.

Are the RDW fees included in the price?

The course and the exam (99 euros) include VAT. The 20 euros for issuing the certificate is an official RDW fee that comes on top, with every provider. So always include it in your total costs.

What is the difference in cost between A1/A3 and A2?

The basic certificate A1/A3 and the separate A2 certificate each cost 99 euros. If you want both, the bundle (the complete EU Drone License) at 189 euros is cheaper than buying them separately.

Can I retake the exam for free if I fail?

At Drone Class you can retake the exam free of charge and as often as you like. So a second or third exam attempt costs nothing extra. Incidentally, with a pass rate of 95%, most participants pass on the first try.

Is my drone license valid abroad?

Yes. The EU Drone License is valid for five years in all EU countries, plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. You obtain it once and fly with it in thirty countries.

Ready to get your drone license?

At Drone Class you obtain the EU Drone License online, usually within a day. You learn at your own pace in a clear learning environment, practise with mock exams and retake for free and without limit within your 30 days of access. So failing costs you nothing. We are recognised by the RDW and EASA, 75,000+ pilots have gone before you with a 4.9 rating from 3,300+ reviews, and 95% pass on the first try.

Choose the course that suits your drone:

• Basic certificate A1/A3 for 99 euros if you have a light drone and want to sort out the basics.

• Complete EU Drone License with A2 for 189 euros if you have a heavier drone or want to fly closer to people. You obtain both certificates in one go, while the material is still fresh, and pay less than buying them separately.