US looking to enforce drone registration

The US Department of Transportation or DOT has published a new document outlining plans to require drone registration. The department wants to implement "aircraft identification and marking" with unmanned aerial systems or UAS because operators have not been careful enough with safety precautions and responsible use. By making UAS devices easier to identify, the DOT can pinpoint "owners of UAS that are operated in an unsafe manner," allowing the department to "educate these users, and when appropriate, take enforcement action."

“The document does not specify how such registration and identification would occur. For now, the department is just exploring its options and asking for recommendations. However, new regulatory enforcement in this area could mean sellers and possibly manufacturers will have to stay abreast of new requirements for the US market. Ars Technica likened drone identification to aircraft tail numbers.

The actions of drone operators have received increased scrutiny following many instances of drones interfering with air traffic, crashing into buildings and getting in the way of firefighting efforts while filming a wildfire. Current rules about private drone use are either ignored or unknown by many, prompting the push for registration. Though operators are likely to be the ones ultimately held responsible for skirting any new regulations, the companies that make it easiest for their consumers to follow regulations may have an advantage capturing more market share.