Everyone who owns or buys a drone will have to sit a driving theory test for them, the Government will announce today. Ministers are worried there could be a major accident after a sharp rise in the number of near misses between drones and aircraft. Under the plans it will be illegal to own a drone without registering personal details such as your name and address online. Individuals will also have to take a'safety awareness test', answering questions on existing rules. These include always keeping your drone in sight and not flying it above 400 feet (120 metres).

While the U.S. relaxes drone regulations, the U.K. government announced Saturday users will have to register their unmanned aircrafts and take safety awareness tests. The U.K. said users need to register their drone to "improve accountability and encourage owners to act responsibly." Those who own drones that weigh 250 grams (about half a pound) or more will need to register details of the gadgets. Owners will be able register their drones online or through apps, the government said. Users will also be required to take a drone safety awareness test to prove they comprehend U.K. safety and privacy rules.

On Saturday, the UK government posted new rules governing the use of drones weighing over 250 grams (about half a pound), with input from the Department for Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Military Aviation Authority. The guidelines state that drone users will have to register their devices and undergo safety awareness testing to ensure that they're aware of UK security, privacy, and safety rules. "By registering drones, introducing safety awareness tests to educate users we can reduce the inadvertent breaching of airspace restrictions." "By registering drones, introducing safety awareness tests to educate users we can reduce the inadvertent breaching of airspace restrictions to protect the public."

The UK government has announced plans to introduce drone registration and safety awareness courses for owners of the small unmanned aircraft. It will affect anyone who owns a drone which weighs more than 250 grams (8oz). Drone maker DJI said it was in favour of the measures. There is no time frame or firm plans as to how the new rules will be enforced and the Department of Transport admitted that "the nuts and bolts still have to be ironed out". The drone safety awareness test will involve potential flyers having to "prove that they understand UK safety, security and privacy regulations", it said.