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Can You Bring a Drill on a Plane? A Complete TSA Guide for 2024
Yes, you can bring a drill on a plane, but the drill itself must be in your checked luggage. Cordless drill batteries have special rules and must be packed in your carry-on bag. This guide will show you exactly how to pack everything correctly to avoid any issues with TSA.
Are you planning a trip? Do you need to bring your tools with you? It can be confusing. You wonder what the airport security rules are. Many people worry about bringing items like a power drill.
You are not alone in asking this question. The rules can seem tricky. But they are simple once you know them. We are here to help. This guide gives you clear, easy steps. We will walk you through how to pack your drill and its batteries for your next flight, so you can travel with confidence. Let’s get started.
Contents
- 1 Why Drills Must Go in Checked Luggage
- 2 The Most Important Rule: All About the Batteries
- 3 Step-by-Step: How to Pack Your Drill for a Flight
- 4 What About Corded Drills?
- 5 A Quick Checklist for Flying with a Drill
- 6 Traveling Internationally? Check Local Rules
- 7 Conclusion: Travel with Your Tools, Worry-Free
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why Drills Must Go in Checked Luggage
The main reason you can’t bring a power drill in your carry-on bag is for security. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has rules about what you can bring into the plane’s cabin. Their goal is to keep everyone safe.
Tools that are over 7 inches long are generally not allowed in carry-on bags. Most power drills fit this description. They could potentially be used as a weapon. To prevent any risk, the TSA requires all power tools, including drills, to be safely stored in checked luggage.
This rule applies to both corded and cordless drills. It also applies to your drill bits, which must also be packed in your checked bag.
A Note on Drill Bits
All drill bits, regardless of their size, are prohibited from carry-on luggage. They are sharp and could be considered dangerous. Always pack your drill bits securely in your checked bag, preferably within a case to prevent them from poking through your luggage.
The Most Important Rule: All About the Batteries
While the drill body goes in your checked bag, the rules for its batteries are the opposite. This is the most critical part of flying with a drill.
Spare lithium-ion batteries must be in your carry-on luggage.
Why? Lithium-ion batteries, which power most modern cordless tools, contain a lot of energy. In rare cases, they can short-circuit and catch fire. If this happens in the plane’s cabin, the flight crew can see it and put it out quickly. If it happened in the cargo hold, it would be much more dangerous.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sets these rules, and they are very strict.
Understanding Battery Limits (Watt-hours)
The FAA measures battery capacity in watt-hours (Wh). You can usually find the Wh rating printed on the battery itself. If not, you can calculate it easily:
Volts (V) x Amp-hours (Ah) = Watt-hours (Wh)
For example, an 18V battery with 5.0 Ah is 90 Wh (18 x 5 = 90). Here are the rules based on size:
- Batteries up to 100 Wh: These are most common for consumer tools. You can bring an unlimited number of spare batteries in your carry-on.
- Batteries from 101-160 Wh: These are larger, professional-grade batteries. You are allowed to bring up to two spare batteries, but you must get approval from your airline first.
- Batteries over 160 Wh: These are forbidden on passenger aircraft.
How to Pack Batteries Safely
You must protect your spare batteries from short-circuiting. This means the metal terminals cannot touch each other or other metal objects (like keys or coins). Here’s how:
- Keep them in their original retail packaging.
- Place electrical tape over the battery terminals.
- Put each battery in its own separate plastic bag or protective pouch.
Step-by-Step: How to Pack Your Drill for a Flight
Feeling ready? Let’s break it down into a simple, step-by-step process.
Step 1: Prepare Your Drill and Accessories
First, get all your items together. This includes the drill body, all batteries, the charger, and any drill bits or attachments. Give the drill a quick wipe-down to remove any dust or debris. Most importantly, remove the battery from the drill body.
Step 2: Pack the Drill Body and Bits in Your Checked Bag
Place the drill body, charger, and all drill bits into your checked suitcase. The best way to do this is to use the drill’s original hard-shell case. This protects the tool from damage and keeps all the accessories organized. If you don’t have a case, wrap the drill in clothing to cushion it during transit.
Step 3: Pack the Batteries in Your Carry-On Bag
Now for the most important part. Take all your cordless drill batteries and prepare them for your carry-on bag. Check their Wh rating to ensure they are compliant. Protect the terminals using one of the methods mentioned above (tape, original packaging, or individual bags). Place them securely in your carry-on where they won’t get knocked around.
Step 4: Double-Check Everything
Before you zip up your bags, do a final check. Is the drill body in the checked bag? Are all drill bits in the checked bag? Are all lithium-ion batteries in your carry-on bag with their terminals protected? Once you confirm, you are good to go!
What About Corded Drills?
Flying with a corded drill is much simpler. Since there are no lithium-ion batteries to worry about, the entire tool can be packed in your checked luggage without any special steps. Just make sure it’s packed securely to prevent damage. The 7-inch tool rule still applies, so it cannot go in your carry-on.
A Quick Checklist for Flying with a Drill
- Drill Body: Packed in CHECKED luggage.
- Drill Bits & Accessories: Packed in CHECKED luggage.
- Cordless Batteries (Lithium-Ion): Packed in CARRY-ON luggage.
- Battery Terminals: Covered with tape or placed in individual bags.
- Battery Size: Confirmed to be under the 160 Wh limit.
- Airline Approval: Obtained for any batteries between 101-160 Wh.
- Final Check: One last look to ensure everything is in the right bag.
Traveling Internationally? Check Local Rules
While TSA and FAA rules cover flights within and departing from the United States, international regulations can vary. If you are flying to another country, it’s a smart idea to check the rules for that country’s aviation authority and your specific airline.
A great resource is the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which sets global standards for transporting dangerous goods, including batteries.
Conclusion: Travel with Your Tools, Worry-Free
So, can you bring a drill on a plane? Absolutely! You just need to follow two simple, golden rules:
- The tool goes in your checked bag.
- The lithium-ion batteries go in your carry-on bag.
By separating your drill from its power source and packing each part in the correct luggage, you comply with all safety regulations. Remember to protect your battery terminals, and you’ll breeze through airport security without a second thought. Now you can focus on the job—or project—that awaits you at your destination.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I bring a small cordless screwdriver in my carry-on?
No. Even small power tools like a cordless screwdriver must be packed in checked luggage. The rule applies to all power tools, regardless of size. The lithium-ion battery for it, however, must be in your carry-on.
2. What happens if I accidentally pack my drill in my carry-on bag?
If the TSA finds a power tool in your carry-on during the security screening, they will stop you. You will be given the option to either return to the airline check-in counter to place the item in a checked bag (if time permits), hand it over to someone who is not traveling, or surrender it to the TSA. It’s best to avoid this hassle by packing it correctly from the start.
3. How do I find the watt-hours (Wh) on my drill battery?
Most modern batteries have the watt-hour (Wh) rating printed directly on the label. If it’s not there, look for the voltage (V) and amp-hours (Ah). Multiply these two numbers together to get the watt-hours. For example, a 20V battery with 4.0 Ah is 80 Wh (20 x 4 = 80).
4. Are the rules the same for other power tools, like a saw or sander?
Yes, the rules are the same for virtually all portable power tools. The tool itself must be in your checked bag. If it’s cordless, the lithium-ion batteries must be transported in your carry-on with the terminals protected.
5. Can a battery be installed in the drill while it’s in my checked bag?
Technically, the FAA allows a lithium-ion battery to be installed in its device within a checked bag. However, all spare batteries must be in your carry-on. To keep things simple and avoid any confusion at security, the best practice is to remove all batteries from your tools and place them all in your carry-on. This is the safest and most recommended method.
6. Do I need to tell the airline I have a drill in my checked bag?
No, you do not need to declare that you have a power tool in your checked luggage. The only time you need to contact the airline is if you plan to travel with large lithium-ion batteries that are between 101 and 160 watt-hours, as these require airline approval.
7. Can I bring a Dremel or other small rotary tool on a plane?
A Dremel or similar rotary tool is treated just like a drill. The tool and any sharp attachments (cutting wheels, bits, etc.) must be in your checked luggage. If it is a cordless model, the lithium-ion batteries must be in your carry-on.
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