PassEveryTest
English

Canada Drone Pilot Basic Exam Preparation 2026

This course is for new drone pilots in Canada who are preparing for Transport Canada's Small Basic Exam. Five lessons cover the exam and certificate, the rules for basic operations, airspace and NOTAMs, weather, and human factors. Each lesson has an untimed topic quiz with explanations, and a timed 35-question final assessment unlocks a certificate of completion when you score 80% or more. The course does not issue a drone pilot certificate; you take the real exam online through Transport Canada's Drone Management Portal.

  • Course
  • Canada
  • 95 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026
  • Fact-checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 240 minutes of lessons, 5 untimed topic quizzes (95 questions in all) and a timed final assessment of 35 questions drawn at random. Score 80% or more on the final assessment to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsCanada Drone Pilot Basic Exam Preparation: Lessons: about 240 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Describe the Small Basic Exam format, pass mark and retake rule
  • Explain how to get, carry and keep your basic pilot certificate current
  • Register and mark a drone and work out its weight category
  • Tell a basic operation from an advanced one using distance, airspace and weight
  • Check airspace, aerodromes and NOTAMs before you fly
  • Decide whether the weather and your own fitness allow a safe flight
  • Follow normal and emergency procedures and respond to incidents

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

Your study plan

Read each lesson, take its topic quiz (untimed, with explanations), then the timed final assessment. A new mix of questions is drawn every time. Your progress is saved in this browser.

  1. Read the lessons5 lessons, about 240 min
  2. Topic quiz 1: The Small Basic Exam, your certificate and registration20 questions
  3. Topic quiz 2: The rules for basic operations19 questions
  4. Topic quiz 3: Airspace, aerodromes and NOTAMs18 questions
  5. Topic quiz 4: Weather and your drone19 questions
  6. Topic quiz 5: Human factors, procedures and emergencies19 questions
  7. Final exam35 questions, 90 min · Score 80% or more

Topic quiz 1: The Small Basic Exam, your certificate and registration

  1. Question 1 of 20

    You want to fly a 900 g camera drone in a basic operation. Which certificate do you need?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations

    All pilots of drones from 250 g up to 150 kg must hold a pilot certificate, whether they fly for fun or for work. Basic operations need at least the Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations.

  2. Question 2 of 20

    What is the youngest age at which you can take the Small Basic Exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 14 years old

    Transport Canada says you must be 14 or older to take the Small Basic Exam. Age 16 is for the advanced certificate and 18 for Level 1 Complex.

  3. Question 3 of 20

    How is the Small Basic Exam taken?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Online, in the Drone Management Portal

    You take the Small Basic Exam online through the Drone Management Portal.

  4. Question 4 of 20

    How many questions are on the Small Basic Exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 35

    The Small Basic Exam has 35 multiple-choice questions.

  5. Question 5 of 20

    How much time do you have to finish the Small Basic Exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 90 minutes

    Transport Canada gives you 90 minutes for the Small Basic Exam.

  6. Question 6 of 20

    On the Small Basic Exam, what percentage of correct answers is the pass mark?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 65% or higher

    The pass mark for the Small Basic Exam is 65%. The 80% pass mark belongs to the Advanced Exam.

  7. Question 7 of 20

    The Small Basic Exam has 35 questions and a 65% pass mark. What is the smallest number of correct answers that passes?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 23

    65% of 35 is 22.75, and you cannot answer part of a question, so you need 23 correct (about 65.7%). 22 correct is only about 62.9%.

  8. Question 8 of 20

    During the exam, the 90-minute timer runs out before you finish. What happens?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The exam is marked on the answers you gave

    Transport Canada says that if time runs out, the exam is marked on the answers you have given.

  9. Question 9 of 20

    You need extra time on the exam because of a learning disability. When should you ask Transport Canada?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. By email, before you pay for the exam

    Transport Canada looks at requests for extra time case by case. You must send the request by email before you pay for the exam.

  10. Question 10 of 20

    You fail the Small Basic Exam at 10:00 on a Monday. When is the earliest you may try again?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 10:00 on Tuesday

    After a failed attempt you must wait 24 hours. Monday at 10:00 plus 24 hours is Tuesday at 10:00. There is no limit on the number of retakes.

  11. Question 11 of 20

    What is TP 15263?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The knowledge requirements behind the exam

    The exam questions are based on TP 15263, the knowledge requirements for drone pilots. Transport Canada notes that it is not a study guide.

  12. Question 12 of 20

    You pass the Small Basic Exam. How do you get your Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You download and print it from the portal right away

    The basic certificate is issued right after you pass. You download and print it from the Drone Management Portal.

  13. Question 13 of 20

    Which of these is accepted as your drone pilot certificate in Canada?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A Transport Canada certificate, printed or electronic

    A valid drone pilot certificate is a printed or electronic document issued by Transport Canada. No other form is accepted.

  14. Question 14 of 20

    You are about to fly a basic operation. Which two items must you have with you?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Your pilot certificate and proof of registration

    For basic operations, Transport Canada says to carry your Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations and proof of drone registration.

  15. Question 15 of 20

    Your basic certificate was issued three years ago. What is true about it?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It never expires, but you must stay current

    The certificate does not expire. But before you fly, you must have completed a recency activity within the previous 24 months and be able to show proof.

  16. Question 16 of 20

    Sam wants to keep flying next year. Which of these would meet the 24-month recency rule?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A TC-endorsed self-paced study program

    Recency activities include passing an exam again, passing a flight review, a TC-endorsed safety seminar, a flight school recurrent training program, or a TC-endorsed self-paced study program. Flying hours alone do not count.

  17. Question 17 of 20

    Which of these drones must be registered with Transport Canada?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A 300 g drone built from a kit

    Every drone of 250 g or more must be registered, including custom-built and kit drones. Drones under 250 g do not need registration.

  18. Question 18 of 20

    Your drone weighs 235 g. You attach a 30 g camera. What follows?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At 265 g, it needs registration and a certified pilot

    Anything attached counts toward the weight: 235 g + 30 g = 265 g. At 250 g or more, the drone must be registered and the pilot needs a certificate.

  19. Question 19 of 20

    How must you mark your registered drone?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Clearly, with its registration number, in a permanent way

    You must clearly mark the drone with its registration number. Transport Canada accepts permanent marker, a permanent label or engraving.

  20. Question 20 of 20

    A hobby pilot flies a 1 kg drone that was never registered. What is the largest fine Transport Canada lists for an individual in this case?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Up to $5,000

    Individuals face up to $5,000 for flying an unregistered or unmarked drone. The $25,000 maximum applies to corporations.

What to know before the test

  • The Small Basic Exam has 35 multiple-choice questions, a 90-minute time limit and a pass mark of 65%. You must be 14 or older.
  • If you fail the Small Basic Exam, you must wait 24 hours before you try again. There is no limit on retakes, and each attempt has the same fee.
  • After you pass, the Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations is issued right away, and you download and print it from the Drone Management Portal.
  • Basic operations use a drone of 25 kg or less, kept in sight, more than 30 m horizontally from people, in uncontrolled airspace, and more than 5.6 km from certified airports and 1.9 km from heliports.
  • Drones of 250 g or more must not fly higher than 400 ft (122 m) above ground level, except close to a building or under a special flight operations certificate.
  • Every drone of 250 g or more must be registered in the Drone Management Portal and clearly marked with its registration number.
  • The pilot certificate does not expire, but you must have completed a recency activity within the previous 24 months before you fly.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the official Transport Canada Small Basic Exam?

No. This is an independent course with original questions. You take the real Small Basic Exam online through Transport Canada's Drone Management Portal.

Does this course give me a drone pilot certificate?

No. Only Transport Canada issues the Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations, after you pass the Small Basic Exam. This course helps you study for that exam.

What does the certificate of completion show?

It shows that you finished this course and scored at least 80% on its final assessment. It is not a Transport Canada pilot certificate, it does not count as a recency activity, and it does not let you fly.

Why is the course pass mark 80% when the real exam needs 65%?

A higher target gives you a safety margin. The final assessment has 35 questions in 90 minutes, the same length and time as the real exam, and draws a new mix of questions each attempt.

Do I need a certificate for a drone under 250 g?

No. Microdrones need no pilot certificate or registration, but you must not fly in a reckless or negligent way, and you need an SFOC to fly at an advertised event. Transport Canada also recommends keeping it in sight and below 400 ft.

What should I study besides this course?

Transport Canada bases the exam on TP 15263 and strongly recommends a drone flight school. Also read Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations and the RPA chapter of the TC AIM.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

Related tests