Airworthy PrepA Part 107 waiver is a certificate of waiver (CoW) from the FAA that lets you deviate from certain Part 107 rules. Only the ten rules listed in 14 CFR 107.205 can be waived, and the FAA grants one only if it finds the operation can be conducted safely under the terms of the certificate (14 CFR 107.200(a)). To apply, you describe the operation in full and show why it is safe (14 CFR 107.200(b)).
This guide uses the current text of 14 CFR part 107 as of October 2026, plus Advisory Circular 107-2A (AC 107-2A, the FAA’s guidance on Part 107, editorial update of May 2022).
Part 107 waivers at a glance
| Item | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A certificate of waiver authorizing a deviation from a listed rule | 14 CFR 107.200(a) |
| What can be waived | Only the regulations listed in 107.205 | 14 CFR 107.205 |
| What the FAA must find | The proposed operation can safely be conducted under the terms of the certificate | 14 CFR 107.200(a) |
| What the request must contain | A complete description of the operation and justification that it can safely be conducted | 14 CFR 107.200(b) |
| Extra limits | The FAA may add limitations it considers necessary | 14 CFR 107.200(c) |
| Your duty after approval | Follow every condition and limitation in the certificate | 14 CFR 107.200(d)(2) |
The rules you can ask to waive
This is the full list in 14 CFR 107.205 (AC 107-2A, para 5.20 repeats it):
| Section | Rule in plain words | Waiver limit |
|---|---|---|
| 107.25 | Operation from a moving vehicle or aircraft | No waiver to carry property of another by aircraft for compensation or hire |
| 107.29(a)(2) and (b) | Anti-collision light for night and civil twilight operations | None stated |
| 107.31 | Visual line of sight | No waiver to carry property of another by aircraft for compensation or hire |
| 107.33 | Visual observer | None stated |
| 107.35 | Operating more than one unmanned aircraft at a time | None stated |
| 107.37(a) | Yielding the right of way | None stated |
| 107.39 | Operation over people | None stated |
| 107.41 | Operation in certain airspace | None stated |
| 107.51 | Operating limitations for the aircraft (speed, altitude, visibility, cloud distance) | None stated |
| 107.145 | Operations over moving vehicles | None stated |
Two points matter for the test. First, the list is short: if a rule is not on it, you cannot get a waiver for it. Second, note the exact wording on night flying. Only the lighting requirement in 107.29(a)(2) and (b) is on the list (14 CFR 107.205(b)). AC 107-2A, para 5.7.2.3 says you may request a waiver of the anti-collision lighting requirement for operations at night and during civil twilight. Our night operations guide covers the rule itself.
What the main rules say
A waiver only makes sense if you know the rule you are asking to bend. The ones people ask about most:
- Visual line of sight (107.31). With vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, the remote pilot in command, the visual observer (if one is used) and the person manipulating the flight controls must be able to see the aircraft throughout the entire flight (14 CFR 107.31(a)).
- Visual observer (107.33). If you use one, the remote pilot in command, the person on the controls and the visual observer must keep effective communication with each other at all times (14 CFR 107.33(a)).
- Multiple aircraft (107.35). A person may not manipulate the controls, act as remote pilot in command or act as visual observer for more than one unmanned aircraft at the same time (14 CFR 107.35).
- Right of way (107.37(a)). Each small unmanned aircraft must yield to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles (14 CFR 107.37(a)).
- Operating limitations (107.51). Groundspeed of no more than 87 knots (100 miles per hour), altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level (with an exception near a structure), and flight visibility of at least 3 statute miles (14 CFR 107.51(a), (b) and (c)). AC 107-2A says the speed limit may be exceeded only under a CoW or an exemption (AC 107-2A, para 8.6.1).
- Airspace (107.41). No operation in Class B, C or D airspace, or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport, without prior ATC authorization (14 CFR 107.41). A waiver of this rule is a different thing from the airspace authorization most pilots use, which is covered in our LAANC guide.
What cannot be waived
Anything not in 107.205 is off the table. The rule text itself names two hard limits: no waiver of 107.25 or 107.31 will be issued to allow carriage of property of another by aircraft for compensation or hire (14 CFR 107.205(a) and (c)).
Old night waivers no longer count. After May 17, 2021, no one may operate at night under a waiver issued before April 21, 2021, and waivers issued before March 16, 2021 that deviated from 107.29 ended on May 17, 2021 (14 CFR 107.29(d)).
How to apply, as AC 107-2A describes it
AC 107-2A, para 5.20 covers the process. Here is what it says, and what it does not say.
- Submit the application through the FAA UAS website. The AC says a CoW is requested by following the instructions and submitting an application at https://www.faa.gov/uas/ (AC 107-2A, para 5.20.1). The AC does not name a specific online portal for waiver applications. It names DroneZone (faadronezone.faa.gov) only as the UAS registration site (AC 107-2A, para 5.4), so check the FAA UAS waivers page for the current submission steps before you apply.
- Describe the operation completely. The request must contain a complete description of the proposed operation (14 CFR 107.200(b)).
- Justify it. You must also show that the operation can safely be conducted under the terms of a CoW. AC 107-2A adds that this includes supporting data and documentation as necessary (14 CFR 107.200(b); AC 107-2A, para 5.20.2).
- Use the FAA’s guidelines. The FAA posts Waiver Safety Explanation Guidelines to help applicants prepare their proposals and justifications (AC 107-2A, para 5.20.2).
- Apply early. Part 107 sets no deadline, but the FAA encourages applicants to submit at least 90 days before the operation starts. It strives to decide within 90 days, but the time varies with the complexity of the request (AC 107-2A, para 5.20.2).
- Expect proportional paperwork. The data and analysis you need is proportional to the relief you ask for. The AC’s example: waiving several sections for an operation in a congested area with heavy air traffic needs much more than waiving one section in a sparsely populated area with minimal air traffic (AC 107-2A, para 5.20.2).
- Expect conditions. A granted CoW may include special provisions designed to keep the operation as safe as one conducted under Part 107 (AC 107-2A, para 5.20.2). You must follow them (14 CFR 107.200(d)(2)).
The AC does not give a fee, so none is stated here. Do not assume one: check the FAA page when you apply.
What the knowledge test expects
Waivers are Task D of Area I, Regulations, in the Remote Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS). The objective is to determine that you know the FAA waiver policy and requirements. It lists one knowledge element, UA.I.D.K1, “Waiver policy and requirements” (ACS FAA-S-ACS-10B, Task I.D, p. 6). Regulations is 48% of the Unmanned Aircraft General test (PSI UAG Applicant Information Bulletin, effective September 29, 2025).
That means you should be able to:
- Say what a waiver is and who issues it (14 CFR 107.200(a)).
- Say what a request must contain (14 CFR 107.200(b)).
- Recognize which rules are on the 107.205 list and which are not.
- Know that a waiver can come with conditions you must follow (14 CFR 107.200(c) and (d)).
Our Regulations topic page has practice questions across the whole area.
How to prepare
- Read 14 CFR 107.200 and 107.205.
- Make a flashcard of the ten sections. Group them: aircraft and crew (107.25, 107.31, 107.33, 107.35), lights (107.29), airspace and traffic (107.37(a), 107.41), people and vehicles (107.39, 107.145), and limits (107.51).
- Read AC 107-2A, para 5.20. It runs about a page and a half (pages 5-15 and 5-16).
- Note the Study Guide’s age. The Remote Pilot Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22) is dated August 2016, so lean on the CFR and the AC for current rules.
- Practice with original questions, then check each miss against the section it cites. The rest of the rules are on one page in our Part 107 cheat sheet.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any rule can be waived. Only the 107.205 list qualifies (14 CFR 107.205).
- Thinking a waiver is automatic if you describe the flight. The FAA must find the operation can safely be conducted (14 CFR 107.200(a)).
- Ignoring the conditions. The holder must comply with any conditions or limitations in the certificate (14 CFR 107.200(d)(2)).
- Mixing up airspace waivers and authorizations. Section 107.41 is on the waiver list, but the prior ATC authorization it requires is a separate thing (14 CFR 107.41).
- Expecting a waiver for paid package carriage. Waivers of 107.25 and 107.31 will not be issued for carrying property of another for compensation or hire (14 CFR 107.205(a) and (c)).
Try one: an original practice question
A remote pilot wants to fly a drone at night without the anti-collision light. Under Part 107, which statement is correct?
- A. No waiver is possible, because night rules are not on the waiver list
- B. The pilot may request a certificate of waiver for the anti-collision lighting requirement
- C. The pilot may skip the light if the flight stays under 400 feet AGL
Answer: B. The anti-collision lighting requirement in 107.29(a)(2) and (b) is on the list of regulations subject to waiver (14 CFR 107.205(b)). The request must describe the operation and justify that it can safely be conducted (14 CFR 107.200(b); AC 107-2A, para 5.7.2.3). Option A is wrong because the lighting rule is listed. Option C is wrong because the 400-foot limit in 107.51(b) has nothing to do with the lighting requirement.
If you want more practice like this, Airworthy Prep has a free Part 107 mock exam. The test layout is in Part 107 test format and passing score.
Common questions
Which Part 107 rules can be waived?
Ten: 107.25, 107.29(a)(2) and (b), 107.31, 107.33, 107.35, 107.37(a), 107.39, 107.41, 107.51 and 107.145 (14 CFR 107.205).
How do I apply for a Part 107 waiver?
AC 107-2A says to follow the instructions and submit an application at the FAA UAS website, with a complete description of the operation and a justification that it can safely be conducted (AC 107-2A, para 5.20.1 and 5.20.2; 14 CFR 107.200(b)). The AC does not name a particular portal, so check the FAA’s waiver page for the current steps.
How long does a waiver take?
The AC encourages you to apply at least 90 days before the operation and says the FAA strives to decide within 90 days. The actual time depends on how complex the request is (AC 107-2A, para 5.20.2).
Can I get a waiver to fly beyond visual line of sight?
Visual line of sight (107.31) is on the list, so you may ask (14 CFR 107.205(c)). The FAA grants a waiver only if it finds the operation can safely be conducted under the certificate’s terms (14 CFR 107.200(a)).