Last year's drone still gets the shot. Here's which used drones to buy, and what to check before you pay.

If it has to be registered with the FAA, yes. Since September 16, 2023, every registered drone, whether flown for fun or for work, must broadcast Remote ID, and the FAA's grace period ended on March 16, 2024. A drone made with it built in counts if its model is on the FAA's Declaration of Compliance list. An older drone can carry a broadcast module that's on that list instead, or fly without one only inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Each model page here says which applies.

No. A drone is registered by its owner in the owner's legal name, so you register it yourself on FAADroneZone and mark your own number on the outside. The FAA tells sellers to cancel their registration when a drone is sold, and its rules give them 14 days. With a built-in Remote ID drone this matters, because its serial number can't sit on two registrations at once, so ask the seller to cancel before you register.

Not if you fly them purely for fun. A drone that weighs less than 250 g on takeoff, counting everything attached to it, and is flown under the recreational exception needs no registration and so no Remote ID. You still need to pass the free TRUST test and follow the recreational rules. A heavier battery or add-ons can push a sub-250 g drone over the line, and then it needs both.

It can be. DJI Fly lets an owner bind a drone to their DJI account, and DJI says binding means the account holder has ownership of the aircraft. Only that account can release it, from Device Management in DJI Fly with the drone and controller connected. DJI says the product can be connected to and used by anyone once the account is removed, so ask the seller to unbind it before it ships. DJI's binding guide covers its DJI Fly drones, not older DJI GO 4 models like the Mavic 2 Pro.

No. DJI's terms say "DJI Care Refresh cannot be transferred after purchase." Don't pay extra for a listing because it mentions a plan.

Yes, under the FAA's Part 107 rules, and the drone's age or weight doesn't change that. You need a Remote Pilot Certificate, which means passing the FAA knowledge test, and the drone must be registered under Part 107 and meet Remote ID, even if it's under 250 g. The FAA counts things like real estate photos and roof inspections as Part 107 flying, and it says to assume Part 107 when you're unsure.

Not in most national parks. Since 2014 the National Park Service has prohibited launching, landing or operating drones on park land and water, with few exceptions, and violations are a misdemeanor. In controlled airspace around many airports you need FAA permission first, which recreational and Part 107 pilots can get through LAANC, and FAA-approved B4UFLY apps show where you can fly. States, cities and other land agencies can add their own rules, so check locally before you fly.