C-DRONE GUIDE · 7 NOVEMBER 2026
French drone pilot training prices in 2026: CATS exam, preparation and practical training, low and high ranges
Becoming a specific-category drone pilot in France (standard scenarios STS-01 and STS-02) costs anything from a few dozen euros to over €4,000, depending on how you prepare the CATS theory exam and the practical training. On 7 November 2026 we recorded the public prices of each option, from classroom courses to self-study, alongside the official DGAC fees. The biggest gap is in theory preparation: that is where an organised professional saves the most.
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Published on 7 November 2026 — regulations in force as of September 2026.
Editorial lead: Jean-Claude Fatemian
Market prices, item by item
Public prices recorded on 7 November 2026 on training providers' price pages and on the DGAC website. Offers are described by type, from the most to the least expensive; amounts are as displayed (VAT included, excluding VAT where the provider publishes it).
| Item | Low price | High price |
|---|---|---|
| CATS preparation course in a training centre (5 to 10 days, classroom, with flight sessions) | €1,700 incl. VAT (€1,416.67 excl. VAT, 5 days) | €2,500 incl. VAT (€2,083.33 excl. VAT, 10 days) |
| STS-01 / STS-02 practical training with attendance certificate (training centre) | €990 incl. VAT (€825 excl. VAT, 2 days), the only available offer recorded | |
| Online CATS preparation with online exam included (1 platform, 2 packages) | €190 incl. VAT | €239.90 incl. VAT |
| Online CATS preparation only, platform 1 (course, 800+ questions, mock exams; exam not included) | €49.90 incl. VAT | €49.90 incl. VAT |
| Online CATS preparation only, platform 2 (course, 800+ questions, 365-day access; exam not included) | €60 | €60 |
| Online CATS preparation only, platform 3 (course and 750+ questions; exam not included) | from €60 | |
| CATS exam fee in a DGAC centre (OCEANE room) | €30, job seekers exempt (DGAC) | |
| OPEN A1/A3 training and exam (CATS prerequisite) | free, online (DGAC) | |
Recorded on 7 November 2026. Indicative prices, excluding travel and accommodation; they vary by region, session date and funding.
Worked example: a technician who needs to fly under STS-01
A survey firm wants one of its technicians to carry out surveys in built-up areas under scenario STS-01. They need the OPEN A1/A3 certificate (free), the CATS (theory exam in a DGAC centre) and a practical training certificate from a declared organisation.
- Everything in a training centre: 5-day CATS course at €1,700 incl. VAT plus the €30 fee, i.e. €1,730 incl. VAT and a week away from work for the theory alone (the course includes flight sessions; check with the provider whether its certificate covers STS practical training or whether the practical course must be added).
- Online preparation with exam included: €190 to €239.90 incl. VAT, plus practical training (from €990 incl. VAT).
- Self-study theory, practical in a centre: CATS exam preparation guide at €24 incl. VAT plus the €30 fee, i.e. €54 incl. VAT for the theory, then practical training (from €990 incl. VAT). Compared with the 5-day theory course, the difference is €1,676 incl. VAT and five working days.
This assumes the technician revises at their own pace; learning research supports it: practising on exam questions consolidates knowledge better than re-reading (Roediger and Karpicke, Psychological Science, 2006), and the review by Dunlosky et al. (2013) ranks self-testing and spaced practice among the most effective techniques.
Hidden costs
- Time away from production: a 5 to 10-day course means as many unbilled days for a freelancer, or days away for an employee, plus travel and accommodation if the centre is far away.
- Failed attempts: an unreported absence from the CATS exam is not refunded (DGAC); each new registration costs the €30 fee again.
- What the package leaves out: online offers "with exam" include an online exam, and theory courses do not always replace STS practical training. Before paying, ask in writing what is issued (theory certificate, practical certificate, or both).
- Renewal: theory certificates must be renewed; see our guide on renewing remote pilot theory certificates.
Where our CATS preparation guide fits
Us: 57% cheaper than the market*
The “Passing the French CATS drone exam” guide costs €24 incl. VAT (€20 excl. VAT), one-off payment, immediate access and invoice. It contains the official DGAC syllabus organised in 8 subjects, 64 answered questions, a 40-question mock exam and a revision plan. It prepares the theory exam; it does not include exam registration (€30 DGAC fee) or STS practical training, which remains compulsory with a declared organisation.
The official syllabus is published free of charge by the DGAC: the guide puts it in order, with answered practice questions, so you revise quickly and do not waste an exam fee.
See the CATS exam guide, €24 incl. VAT
*For an equivalent service: comparison between the price of the CATS exam preparation guide (€24 incl. VAT) and the average public price of 3 online CATS preparation offers without exam (course and multiple-choice questions) recorded on 7 November 2026 on 3 separate websites (€49.90 to €60, average €56.63). Indicative prices, excluding extra costs; they may vary by region and situation.
Official sources
- DGAC, Theory exams for drone pilots (€30 CATS fee, prerequisites, OCEANE centres), accessed on 7 November 2026.
- DGAC, Open category UAS training (free OPEN A1/A3 training and exam, €30 OPEN A2 exam), accessed on 7 November 2026.
- Training providers' and preparation platforms' prices: public price pages accessed on 7 November 2026 (offers described by type).
Frequently asked questions
How much does the CATS exam cost in 2026?
The registration fee for the CATS theory exam is €30 in a DGAC centre (OCEANE room); job seekers are exempt. Preparation comes on top: from €24 (self-study guide) to €2,500 incl. VAT (10-day classroom course).
Can you prepare the CATS on your own, without a course?
Yes: the theory exam does not require a prior course; you only need the OPEN A1/A3 certificate (or the BAPD) to register. STS practical training, however, must be done with a declared organisation.
How much does STS practical training cost?
From €990 incl. VAT (€825 excl. VAT, 2 days) according to public prices recorded on 7 November 2026, excluding travel; ask several declared providers, prices vary with course length.
Can drone pilot training be funded?
Classroom courses can often be funded (CPF, OPCO, France Travail) when the provider is certified; see our guide on funding drone pilot training. A €24 revision guide is simply paid against an invoice.
Put it into practice
- Drone pilot training: rates and cities covered from €350
- Drone pilot training in Cholet Pays de la Loire
- Drone pilot training in Albi Occitanie
- Drone pilot training in Carcassonne Occitanie