Operator ID or licence number? The difference explained

Two numbers, two documents, and they are constantly mixed up: the operator ID (e-ID) from your registration and the number on your drone licence. Yet the difference is simple if you think of a car.

The operator ID: your drone’s number plate

You receive the operator ID (operator registration number) when you register as a drone operator with your aviation authority. The German Federal Aviation Office (LBA) itself compares it to a car number plate: it shows who is responsible for the drone, i.e. the operator. Unlike with a car, however, you may operate several drones under the same operator ID.

• Found in: the confirmation of your registration as an operator
• Starts with: the country code, e.g. DEU, AUT or CHE
• Goes: on each of your drones, without the 3 secret characters after the hyphen. Into the drone’s remote ID (if it has one), however, you enter the full operator ID including the 3 secret characters; it is broadcast without them

The licence number: your personal pilot number

Your EU A1/A3 proof of competency or your remote pilot certificate (A2 or STS) shows a different number. The LBA calls it the remote pilot ID, your personal identification number as a remote pilot. It belongs to you as a person, not to the drone.

• Found on: your drone licence
• Does not go on the drone. You carry the certificate with you when flying, on paper, as a card or as a file on your phone.

At a glance

When operator and pilot are different people

If someone else flies your drone, for example your child or an employee, your operator ID stays on the drone. The pilot, however, needs their own licence if the drone requires one (Which drone licence do I need?).

At Roboterwerk

For the drone ID plate we need your operator ID. For the licence card simply upload the PDF of your certificate. Your registration confirmation with operator ID is also available as a card.