Self-driving trucks begin official testing on California highways
Aurora and Kodiak receive DMV approval for heavy-duty autonomous vehicle trials.
1Historic milestone
California DMV granted permits to Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI for testing driverless trucks over 10,000 pounds. New regulations effective April 28, 2026 lifted the ban on autonomous heavy-duty vehicles on public roads. Kodiak announced it has begun testing in the Mountain View area, marking a significant expansion of its autonomous operations beyond Texas.
2Testing requirements
DMV's permitting criteria include safety insurance, vehicle registration, and safety driver qualifications. During tests, a human operator must remain behind the wheel. Autonomous trucks are prohibited on roads with speed limits below 25 mph (40 km/h), except when taking 'direct routes' between destinations. These measures aim to balance innovation with public safety concerns.
3Growing opposition
Teamsters California filed a lawsuit against the DMV, alleging the agency bypassed laws requiring economic impact studies of autonomous trucks. The complaint filed in Alameda County Superior Court accuses DMV of neglecting motorist safety risks. The union argues the regulatory changes lacked transparency and proper stakeholder consultation, reflecting ongoing labor concerns about automation.
4Texas operations
Both companies previously concentrated testing in Texas due to California's ban. Aurora launched commercial autonomous truck service between Dallas and Houston in May 2025, later expanding to Fort Worth-El Paso, El Paso-Phoenix, and Laredo-Dallas routes. Kodiak began off-road testing in West Texas' Permian Basin in January 2025 before transitioning to highway operations. Their Texas experience provided crucial real-world data for California approval.
5Kodiak's expansion
After pioneering off-road testing in remote West Texas, Kodiak successfully transitioned to highway operations including the busy Dallas-Houston corridor. The California permit now enables the company to connect operations across both US coasts. Industry analysts note this creates the first bi-coastal testing framework for autonomous freight, potentially revolutionizing long-haul logistics nationwide.
6Industry turning point
Experts highlight California's decision as pivotal for autonomous trucking. As the world's fifth-largest economy, California represents the most significant market yet for this technology. DMV data shows a 47% increase in autonomous vehicle test applications in H1 2026, signaling rapid industry growth. The approval creates a regulatory blueprint other states may follow, accelerating nationwide adoption.
7Safety concerns
Crash rates involving autonomous trucks remain controversial. NHTSA reported 17 accidents involving self-driving vehicles in Texas during 2025, though none were fatal. DMV retains authority to immediately suspend California testing if safety issues emerge. Critics argue current reporting requirements lack sufficient detail, while proponents highlight autonomous vehicles' potential to reduce human-error accidents long-term.
8Logistics revolution
Commercial deployment of autonomous trucks could reduce shipping costs by up to 30%. With the American Trucking Association reporting over 80,000 driver vacancies in the US, this technology addresses critical labor shortages. Particularly for long-haul routes, autonomous systems promise to reduce fatigue-related incidents while maintaining 24/7 operations, potentially transforming supply chain economics across multiple industries.
Original article: TechCrunch — Kaliforniya'da sürücüsüz kamyon testleri başladı