🖐 In this blog post we’ll share all drone law links & known rules about recreational & commercial drone use in Brunei ( Bandar Seri Begawan). Give a 👍 at the end of this post if you enjoyed it & feel free to ask any questions or share your experience in The Forum. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our ability & does not replace official sources & your own research.
Brunei's drone laws and regulations
Brunei does not differentiate commercial & recreational drone uses. Unfortunately, both uses are formerly forbidden without authorisation in Brunei.
🚨For the moment, the use of drones is restricted under the section 21 of the Civil Aviation Order 2006. Drone use is under the responsibility of the Department of Civil Aviation which is part of Brunei's Ministry of Communication. They can be reached anytime via:
Phone (+673) 7292187
Can I bring or travel with a drone to Brunei?
🚨 There isn't enough official sources to answer this question today; if you know anything or have been to Brunei with your drone, please share your experience in the Forum.
🚨 Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
Can I fly a drone in Brunei?
🚨 You will need a permission to fly your drone in Brunei. For those who obtained one, we did not find an official fly zone map for drones in Brunei "If you have more information about this, please let us on the Forum know anytime". Thankfully, app.airmap.io has listed some no flight zones in a convenient. Note that this is a guide map only and does not necessarily represent where you can fly with your drone in the country.
Brunei Drone Fly Map
💡 Spare drone batteries are a must when travelling overseas, they give you more autonomy to fly and take pictures during your trips.
What are the rules to fly a drone in Brunei?
🚨 The Brunei Times reported in March, this year, that the operation of drones is an offence as it posed security risks to air navigation, controlled airspace and densely populated areas - Ministry of Communications
✅ Some exemptions may also be granted as the government also recognises the potential of unmanned aircraft use in the country, but this is on a case-to-case basis. We are aware of one successful applications see below
It seems you will need to ask for the form DCAFORM21, provided your driving license, full contact details and a brief description of your intentions of flight. "We are gathering more information around the process as you read this"
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What do I risk for flying a drone illegally in Brunei?
The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such. Failing to comply to local drone regulation exposes you:
a fine of up to US$50,000
up to 5 years of jail
✅ The only good news is that once you're there and got the authorisations, you can start flying above Brunei's awesome landscapes & create videos like this one:
✅ Please leave a comment or update the Forum when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in Brunei!
Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authorities for needed information about local drone rules and regulations.
Other resources
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