The plan is expected to be announced as soon as Monday, and the DOT wants it in place by Christmas.

DOT announcement coming Monday w/indstry - plan to register drones - hoping plan is in place by xmas, follows drone/plane close calls. — Tom Costello (@tomcostellonbc) October 16, 2015

It's not clear yet what exactly will be required of consumers and how much information they'll need to share with the government, but knowing that the government can track you down if your drone causes an accident would probably make it owners use them with a little more caution.