What Is the TRUST Test? (Everything You Need to Know) | Droneblog

Do I need to pass a test to fly a drone?

If you are flying a drone for recreational purposes, that is, not for commercial or business purposes, the FAA now requires you to take a test. As of June 22, 2021, all recreational drone flyers are required to pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test in order to operate a drone. 

For those operating drones for commercial purposes, you are required to pass the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) knowledge test in order to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate. This is more commonly known as the Part 107 test. For more questions about the Part 107 test, read our article here.

Unlike the Part 107 knowledge test, which must be taken in-person at an approved testing center, and required hours of training and preparation in order to pass, the test for recreational drone pilots can be taken online, and for most people can be completed in under 30 minutes.  

What is the TRUST test? 

The TRUST test (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) is the FAA’s aeronautical knowledge and safety test required of all recreational drone flyers as of June 2021. The TRUST test covers basic safety topics and FAA regulations that all drone operators need to know in order to safely operate a drone. 

The topics covered on the test include a basic understanding of airspace restrictions, knowing where you can and cannot fly a drone, how to safely operate your drone, understanding of safety guidelines and community-based organization regulations, and how to abide by FAA drone regulations. 

The TRUST test is available for free from various organizations online. Once you have completed the TRUST test, you will be issued a certificate by email, which you will have to print and keep on hand whenever you are flying your drone.  

Who is required to take the TRUST test?

Anyone who is flying a drone recreationally, that is for fun or as a hobby, is required to take and pass the TRUST test. Even if your drone is under the weight limitation (0.55 lbs or 250g) and does not require registration, the recreational pilot is still required to pass the TRUST test and have the certificate on hand whenever they are flying the drone. 

This includes drone pilots of all ages, as there is no age limitation for taking the online test. If as a parent you bought a drone for your child, I recommend sitting down with them to go through the test together to make sure both you and they are aware of all of the safety regulations and responsibilities they have as a drone operator. 

Visitors to the USA that plan to operate a drone recreationally also need to take the TRUST test before flying a drone here. There is no nationality requirement, and no proof of ID is required in order to take the test or get a certificate. 

How to pass the TRUST test?

According to the FAA website, “You cannot fail the test. If you answer a question incorrectly you will be provided with information on why the answer you chose was incorrect and will be prompted to try again.” It might be better labeled as a training course than as a test. 

The point of the test is to famliarize all drone pilots with the basic safety procedures and regulations to keep the skies safer for all. The test is not designed to trip people up or make you proficient in all the laws and rules for drones. The FAA wants everyone flying a drone to at least have a basic awareness of how to fly it safely. 

With this as the goal, everyone who sets out to take the test can and will pass it. Even if you know nothing at all about drones and drone rules, you can and will pass the test the first time through, just by reading the information provided and answering or reanswering the questions as you go through.

There’s no need to do any particular studying ahead of time, or take a practice course to prepare for the test, as you would for the Part 107 knowledge test for a commercial drone license. Having some general knowledge of drones and drone regulations may help you get through the test faster, but it’s not necessary in order to pass and get your certificate. 

There are 4 sections to the test, and each section has several pages of informational text related to different aspects of safely and legally operating a drone for recreational purposes. At the end of each section, there are several questions to make sure you have read and understand the information in the section. There are a total of 23 questions across all 4 sections. 

Once you’ve completed the test, you will be issued a certificate of completion. Some platforms will have the certificate available on the site for download and printing. Others will send the certificate document to the email you provided, where you can download and print at your convenience.