Kodiak obtained a permit under the state’s new regulations on August 13, 2026. This permit allows Kodiak to operate in California with a safety driver behind the wheel.

"California’s comprehensive autonomous vehicle regulations are a major unlock for freight innovation," said Don Burnette, Founder and CEO, Kodiak. "This permit allows us to begin the first phase of scaling autonomous trucking coast-to-coast, while ensuring appropriate safety oversight from California regulators. We thank Governor Newsom for his leadership in allowing California born-and-bred Physical AI innovators like Kodiak to bring our technology to highways in our home state, creating jobs and increasing roadway safety for all Californians."

California’s DMV approved new regulations on April 28 that allow heavy-duty autonomous vehicles to receive permits to test on the state’s public roads for the first time. Kodiak received a permit that authorizes autonomous operations with a human safety driver aboard. The permit marks the first step in the DMV’s phased permitting approach, which progresses from drivered testing to driver-out testing and, ultimately, driver-out deployment.