California authorizes Aurora and Kodiak to trial autonomous trucks on public highways
The California DMV granted Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI permits to test driver-less trucks on state roads, with Kodiak already beginning limited runs near its Mountain View office.
Under updated regulations approved on April 28, the California Department of Motor Vehicles issued testing permits to Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI for autonomous heavy-duty trucks. The companies met the agency’s requirements for safety protocols, insurance coverage, vehicle registration and qualified safety drivers. Kodiak has already deployed a small fleet of test trucks near its Mountain View office, while Aurora intends to begin its own trials after previously running driverless services in Texas.
The permits restrict operations to roads with speed limits above 25 mph unless the route is a direct connection between destinations, and a human operator must remain in the cab. Opposition persists, highlighted by a recent lawsuit from Teamsters California claiming the DMV bypassed mandatory studies of the economic and safety consequences of allowing driverless trucks on public highways. The new rules create a regulatory pathway for eventual commercial deployment of autonomous trucks in the state.
Why it matters
California's approval could accelerate the rollout of autonomous freight, reshaping logistics and raising safety and labor concerns.
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