1.1 About the Transport Canada Small Basic Exam
Key Takeaways
- The Small Basic exam consists of 35 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit and a 65% passing score (minimum 23 correct answers).
- The exam costs CA$10 per attempt, is administered online via Transport Canada's Drone Management Portal, and provides instant scoring upon completion.
- Candidates who do not pass must observe a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before attempting a retake, with no limit on total lifetime attempts.
- A Basic Pilot Certificate permits operations of RPAs weighing 250 g up to 25 kg in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace, at or below 400 ft AGL, and at least 30 m horizontally from bystanders.
- While the Pilot Certificate itself never expires, exercising pilot privileges requires completing a recognized recency activity every 24 months under CAR 901.56/57.
About the Transport Canada Small Basic Exam
Quick Summary: The Transport Canada Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (VLOS) — Basic Operations exam is a 35-question, 90-minute online test administered via the Drone Management Portal. It costs CA$10 per attempt, requires a 65% score (23 correct) to pass, and yields an immediate result. Once obtained, your Basic Pilot Certificate never expires, but you must complete a qualifying recency activity every 24 months to remain legal to fly.
Remotely piloted aviation in Canada is regulated under federal jurisdiction by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). Any pilot operating a drone between 250 grams (g) and 25 kilograms (kg) in Canadian airspace must comply with Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part IX.
Passing the Small Basic exam is the mandatory first step for drone pilots whose missions fit within the basic operational boundary. This section details the regulatory foundation, administrative logistics, operational boundaries, and recency requirements governing the Basic Pilot Certificate.
Regulatory Framework: CARs Part IX
Introduced on June 1, 2019, CARs Part IX integrates drones into Canadian airspace alongside crewed aircraft. It establishes legal accountability for the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and defines standardized rules for pilot certification, aircraft registration, and flight limitations.
The regulations divide civil remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) into four weight bands:
- Micro RPAS (under 250 g): Governed by CAR 900.06. Micro-drones do not require pilot certification or registration, provided they are flown without recklessness.
- Small RPAS (250 g up to 25 kg): The core category for recreational and commercial operators. Requires federal aircraft registration, marking, and at least a Basic Pilot Certificate.
- Medium RPAS (more than 25 kg up to 150 kg): Since 4 November 2025 these are flown under Division V — Advanced operations, with an Advanced or Level 1 Complex pilot certificate and a Standard 922 declaration made under CAR 901.194.
- Large RPAS (more than 150 kg): Requires a special flight operations certificate — RPAS (SFOC — RPAS) under CAR 903.01(a).
Every small RPA must be registered with Transport Canada before outdoor flight, displaying its unique C-XXXXXXXXXX registration number visibly on the airframe.
Exam Logistics & Administration
The Small Basic exam is taken online through the Transport Canada Drone Management Portal (DMP) using a GCKey or verified financial institution Sign-In Partner.
| Exam Parameter | Transport Canada Specification |
|---|---|
| Official Title | Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (VLOS) — Basic Operations |
| Delivery Platform | Online via Drone Management Portal (unproctored) |
| Question Format | 35 multiple-choice questions (4 options per question) |
| Time Limit | 90 minutes (timed countdown) |
| Passing Score | 65% (minimum 23 out of 35 correct) |
| Examination Fee | CA$10 per attempt |
| Scoring | Instant automated grading upon submission |
| Retake Waiting Period | Mandatory 24 hours between attempts |
| Lifetime Attempts | Unlimited attempts permitted |
| Minimum Age | 14 years old to receive certificate |
Retake Rules and Exam Security
If a candidate scores below 65%, the portal enforces a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before allowing another attempt. This lockout is automated and cannot be bypassed. Each attempt requires a separate CA$10 fee. If the 90-minute timer expires before submission, unanswered questions are marked incorrect, and the exam is scored on completed answers.
The Basic Operational Envelope: Privileges and Boundaries
Holding a Pilot Certificate — Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (VLOS), Basic Operations permits flight strictly within the following low-risk envelope:
- Uncontrolled Airspace: Flights must occur exclusively in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. Operating in Class A, B, C, D, or E controlled airspace or Class F restricted airspace is prohibited under a Basic certificate.
- Altitude Ceiling: The maximum altitude is 400 feet (122 metres) Above Ground Level (AGL) (CAR 901.25). Exception: Pilots may fly up to 100 feet (30 metres) above a structure if operating within 200 feet (61 metres) horizontally in Class G airspace.
- Visual Line-of-Sight (VLOS): The pilot or visual observer must maintain direct, unaided visual contact at all times (CAR 901.11). Corrective lenses are permitted; binoculars or FPV goggles alone do not fulfill the VLOS requirement.
- Bystander Separation: The RPA must remain at least 30 metres (100 feet) horizontally away from bystanders (CAR 901.53). Flying directly over people is prohibited.
- Aerodrome Buffers: Under CAR 901.47(2), a VLOS operation must stay at least 3 NM (5.6 km) from the centre of an airport and 1 NM (1.9 km) from the centre of a heliport. CAR 901.47(4) separately bars operating within 3 NM of an aerodrome operated under the authority of the Department of National Defence unless the DND authorizes it.
Basic vs. Advanced Operations Comparison
If an operation exceeds any Basic parameter, it legally becomes an Advanced operation requiring additional qualifications:
| Parameter | Basic Operations (Subpart 1, Division IV) | Advanced Operations (Subpart 1, Division V) |
|---|---|---|
| Airspace | Class G (uncontrolled) only | Classes C, D, E (controlled) & Class G |
| ATC Approval | None (controlled airspace prohibited) | Mandatory NAV CANADA Flight Authorization |
| Bystander Buffer | Minimum 30 m (100 ft) horizontal separation | 30 m to 5 m, or over people (with safety-assured RPA) |
| Aerodrome Buffer | 5.6 km (airports) / 1.9 km (heliports) standoff | Permitted inside buffer with established aerodrome procedures |
| Drone Standard | Standard registered drone | Safety Assurance declaration under CAR 922 |
| Minimum Age | 14 years old | 16 years old |
| Exam Requirements | Small Basic Exam (35 Qs, 90 min, 65%) | Small Advanced Exam (50 Qs, 60 min, 80%) + Flight Review |
Certificate Validity vs. 24-Month Recency Requirements
A common misconception is that the Basic Pilot Certificate expires. Under Canadian regulations, the certificate itself never expires.
However, exercising flight privileges requires completing a qualifying recency activity every 24 months under CAR 901.56 and 901.57.
Qualifying Recency Activities
To maintain or restore currency, a pilot must complete any one of the following within the preceding 24 months:
- Retake and pass either the Small Basic or Small Advanced knowledge exam;
- Successfully complete an RPAS flight review with an authorized Flight Reviewer;
- Complete an approved recurrent training program, safety seminar, or endorsed self-study course.
Pilots must carry their Pilot Certificate and proof of 24-month recency during every flight operation (CAR 901.57), accessible either in print or electronically on a mobile device.
Practical Exam Scenarios & Common Traps
- The Payload Weight Trap: A 245 g drone fitted with a 15 g prop guard has a gross takeoff weight of 260 g. It is legally subject to CARs Part IX, requiring pilot certification and registration.
- Certified vs. Uncertified Aerodromes: CAR 901.47 standoffs (5.6 km) apply to certified aerodromes and military airports. However, CAR 901.47(1) prohibits operating at or near any aerodrome listed in the Canada Flight Supplement or Water Aerodrome Supplement in a manner that could interfere with an aircraft in the established traffic pattern.
- The Recency Gap: A pilot who passed the exam 25 months ago without completing a recency activity is legally grounded until they complete a qualifying activity, despite holding a non-expiring certificate.
What is the minimum passing score and question count for the Transport Canada Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (VLOS) Basic Operations exam?
What is the minimum horizontal distance that a Basic RPAS operator must maintain from bystanders who are not involved in the flight operation?
A pilot passed the Transport Canada Small Basic exam on June 15, 2024. Under CAR 901.56, what is required for this pilot to legally operate an RPA on July 1, 2026?
If a candidate fails the online Small Basic exam on their first attempt, what restriction applies before they may re-attempt the test?