TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The transport ministry said on Friday (Nov. 15) that the minimum age for applying for a student drone license will be lowered to 14 years old.
The ministry said its drone regulations will be changed on Dec. 1 to lower the age for applying for the license from the current 16-year-old minimum, per CNA. It also said licenses will be valid for three years instead of the current two after the change.
A student drone license allows supervised operators to pilot drones weighing below 25 kilograms.
The transport ministry also said application fees for drone licenses will increase when the changes are made. The cost of applying for a professional remote pilot license will increase from NT$250 (US$7.70) to NT$500, it said.
The CAA said that applications for other types of licenses and permits will be charged between NT$500 and NT$2,000.
The CAA said it will also increase the frequency and scope of drone inspections from Jan. 1. The CAA previously said the new regulations will require drones under 2 kg in weight to undergo product inspections, while those over that would undergo flight safety inspections.
According to the transport ministry, there were 40,368 drones and 19,573 qualified drone operators registered in Taiwan as of July.