100+ Free GVC Practice Questions
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Key Facts: GVC Exam
75%
Minimum Pass Mark
CAP 722B
40+
Theory Questions
CAP 722B RAE scheme
120 m / 400 ft
UKPDRA01 Max Height
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
50 m
Separation from Uninvolved Persons
UKPDRA01
Under 25 kg
UKPDRA01 Max Take-off Mass
UK CAA UKPDRA01
5 years
GVC Validity
UK CAA
31 Dec 2027
Last GVC Issue Date
UK CAA RPC transition
The GVC is taken by remote pilots who need to fly drones commercially in the UK Specific category, typically alongside a UKPDRA01 Operational Authorisation that permits flight in congested and built-up areas. The qualification has three parts: a closed-book theory exam of at least 40 questions requiring 75% to pass in about 75 minutes, an operations manual, and a practical flight assessment, all delivered by a CAA Recognised Assessment Entity under CAP 722B. The theory covers UK air law and UAS regulation (UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947, CAP 722, PDRA01 limits of 120 m height, 50 m separation from uninvolved persons, 500 m range and under-25 kg MTOM), airspace and Flight Restriction Zones, NOTAM and METAR interpretation, airmanship, human factors, meteorology, navigation and charts, and emergency procedures such as lost link and flyaway. A GVC is valid for five years. New GVCs are issued until 31 December 2027, when the RPC-L1/L2/L3 scheme takes over; GVC holders are exempt from the RPC-L1 theory test.
Sample GVC Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your GVC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under the UK Specific category, what document must an operator hold to legally conduct the operations that a GVC qualifies the remote pilot to perform?
2What is the maximum height above the surface permitted for a UAS operating under UKPDRA01?
3Under UKPDRA01, what is the minimum horizontal separation that must be maintained from uninvolved persons during normal flight (not take-off or landing)?
4What is the maximum take-off mass (MTOM) of a UAS that may be operated under UKPDRA01?
5What is the maximum horizontal distance from the remote pilot at which a UAS may be flown under UKPDRA01?
6Under UKPDRA01, flying directly over an assembly of people is:
7Which document is the primary CAA guidance publication for unmanned aircraft system operations in UK airspace?
8A remote pilot loses unaided visual contact with the drone behind a building but can still see the live video feed. With respect to VLOS, this operation is now:
9Which UK regulation sets out the rules for the design, operation and personnel for unmanned aircraft, including the Open and Specific categories?
10An operator's Operations Manual under PDRA01 primarily serves to:
About the GVC Exam
The General VLOS Certificate (GVC) is the UK's professional remote-pilot qualification for visual-line-of-sight drone operations in the Specific category. Issued by the CAA through Recognised Assessment Entities under CAP 722B, it requires passing a closed-book theory exam, submitting an operations manual and passing a practical flight assessment. The GVC underpins an Operational Authorisation such as UKPDRA01, which allows flight in congested areas that the Open category prohibits. New GVCs will be issued until 31 December 2027, after which the RPC-L1/L2/L3 scheme replaces it, though existing GVCs remain valid for five years.
Questions
40 scored questions
Time Limit
Approximately 75 minutes
Passing Score
75% minimum
Exam Fee
GBP 350-700 (RAE course and assessment fee) (UK Civil Aviation Authority via Recognised Assessment Entities (RAEs))
GVC Exam Content Outline
Air Law & UAS Regulation
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and the Open, Specific and Certified categories, CAP 722 and CAP 722B, the Operational Authorisation and UKPDRA01 limits (120 m/400 ft height, 50 m separation from uninvolved persons reducing to 30 m on take-off/landing, 500 m maximum range, under-25 kg MTOM, no overflight of assemblies), Operator and Flyer ID, class markings (C0-C6) and the GVC-to-RPC-L1 transition
Airspace & Operating Principles
UK airspace classes including controlled Class D and uncontrolled Class G, Flight Restriction Zones built on the 2-2.5 nm aerodrome traffic zone with runway protection zones, obtaining ATC or airport permission, NOTAMs and AIP Supplements, danger areas, areas of intense aerial activity and temporary restrictions
Airmanship & Aviation Safety
Always giving way to manned aircraft including HEMS, pre-flight inspections and go/no-go decisions, sterile cordons around the launch point, third-party liability insurance under Regulation (EC) 785/2004, night-operation conspicuity lighting, record-keeping and mandatory occurrence reporting
Human Factors
The IMSAFE self-assessment (illness, medication, stress, alcohol, fatigue, emotion), effects of fatigue and stress, channelised (tunnel) attention and situational awareness, workload management, crew briefings and use of a competent co-located observer, and recency and currency
Meteorology
Reading METARs (wind groups, gusts, cloud base such as BKN008) and TAFs, the temperature/dew-point spread and fog, convective cloud and turbulence near buildings, wind limits versus manufacturer ratings, visibility and VLOS, and icing and cold effects on battery endurance
Navigation & Charts
Reading the 1:500,000 VFR chart (1 cm equals 5 km), maximum elevation figures and obstacle height pairs, danger-area and parachute-site symbols, airways and microlight/glider sites, AIRAC currency and plotting the operating site relative to controlled airspace
Flight Performance & Emergency Procedures
Site surveys and operational risk assessment, battery management and reduced endurance into wind, lost-link return-to-home, flyaway and motor/propeller failure responses, LiPo battery fire handling, and GNSS/compass interference in urban canyons
How to Pass the GVC Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 75% minimum
- Exam length: 40 questions
- Time limit: Approximately 75 minutes
- Exam fee: GBP 350-700 (RAE course and assessment fee)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
GVC Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GVC and what does it let me do?
The General VLOS Certificate is the UK CAA's remote-pilot competence certificate for visual-line-of-sight drone operations in the Specific category. Paired with an Operational Authorisation such as UKPDRA01, it lets you fly commercially in congested and built-up areas that the Open category prohibits.
How many questions are on the GVC theory exam and what is the pass mark?
The GVC theory examination is a closed-book paper of at least 40 questions, sat in around 75 minutes, with a minimum pass mark of 75%. You must also submit an operations manual and pass a practical flight assessment to be certified.
What are the key UKPDRA01 operating limits I need to know?
Under UKPDRA01 the maximum height is 120 m (400 ft), you must keep at least 50 m from uninvolved persons (30 m on take-off and landing), the maximum range is 500 m, the drone must be under 25 kg MTOM, and you may not fly over assemblies of people.
Is the GVC being replaced?
Yes. New GVCs will be issued until 31 December 2027, after which the Level 1-3 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) scheme replaces it. Existing GVCs remain valid for their five-year term, and GVC holders are exempt from the RPC-L1 theory test.
Who administers the GVC and how much does it cost?
The GVC is delivered by Recognised Assessment Entities (RAEs) approved by the CAA under CAP 722B. Course and assessment fees typically range from about GBP 350 to GBP 700, usually combining online modules with a remote-proctored theory exam and a practical flight assessment.
How long is a GVC valid?
A GVC is valid for five years from issue. Renewal is via a recency or refresher process with an RAE before expiry, separate from the operator's annual Operational Authorisation, which is renewed yearly.
Do I need a GVC to fly any drone in the UK?
No. Many recreational and lighter operations are covered by the Open category with a Flyer ID, and the A2 CofC supports the A2 subcategory. The GVC is needed for Specific category operations such as flying near people in built-up areas under PDRA01.