Open category — A1/A3 · France
Pass Your A1/A3 Drone Exam in France 🇫🇷
In France, the Open Category A1/A3 exam is free and fully online — managed by the DGAC through the AlphaTango platform, available in French, English.
Cost
free
Format
40 questions online
Pass mark
75% — 30/40 correct
Retakes
Unlimited
Validity
5 years, EU-wide
Minimum age
14 years
Platform language
French, English
What the A1/A3 certificate unlocks
Subcategory A1 — fly over uninvolved people with a C0 drone (under 250g) or a C1 drone (under 900g) with restrictions
Subcategory A3 — fly far from people with any drone up to 25 kg, at least 150m from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas
Access to A2 and STS — mandatory prerequisite before sitting any other EASA drone exam
Step by step — how to get certified in France
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1
Create your AlphaTango account
Go to alphatango.aviation-civile.gouv.fr and create a free account.
You must be at least 14 years old. Minors need a declaration of consent from a legal guardian. While you're there, also complete your operator registration — required before your first flight.
↗ alphatango.aviation-civile.gouv.fr -
2
Access the A1/A3 training module
From your AlphaTango dashboard, access the A1/A3 online training, or go directly to the training platform. The training covers the 9 official EASA knowledge areas and takes approximately 2 hours.
↗ formation-telepilote.aviation-civile.gouv.fr -
3
Take the exam
Complete the 40-question multiple-choice exam online. You need at least 30 correct answers (75%) to pass. Retakes are unlimited.
Questions cover airspace rules, drone categories, safety, meteorology, privacy and pilot responsibilities.
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4
Download your certificate
Once you pass, check your email from the DGAC. Your A1/A3 certificate is immediately available for download from your AlphaTango profile.
Valid for 5 years across all 31 EASA member states. Renewal requires passing the exam again.
Useful links in France
Frequently asked questions
Is the A1/A3 exam really free in France?
Yes. The DGAC offers the A1/A3 training and exam entirely free of charge through the AlphaTango platform. There are no registration fees and no limit on retakes.
Can I take the exam in English?
Yes. Both AlphaTango and the training platform are available in French and English. You can switch language directly on the platform.
What is the minimum age in France?
14 years old — lower than the standard 16 years in most other EU countries. Pilots between 14 and 16 need a written declaration of consent from a legal guardian.
Is my French A1/A3 certificate valid in other EU countries?
Yes. Your certificate is valid across all 31 EASA member states for 5 years. You do not need to retake the exam when flying in another EU country.
Beware of fraudulent websites that offer drone licences for a fee without requiring an exam. Your certificate must be issued by an official national aviation authority. In France, the official platform is https://alphatango.aviation-civile.gouv.fr, managed by the DGAC.
Once you have your Open Category A1/A3
Next step — A2 Certificate in France
Fly closer to people with a C2 drone up to 4 kg