California Lifts Ban on Heavy Autonomous Trucks — First Permits Issued

California has officially opened its roads to heavy autonomous trucks, issuing the first testing permits to two companies. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) granted permits to Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI, both startups developing self-driving technology for big rigs.

Earlier this year, the California DMV updated its regulations on autonomous vehicle testing, lifting a ban on self-driving vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds (approximately 4.5 metric tons). The new rules, approved on April 28, also established a framework for companies to test and eventually deploy heavy autonomous vehicles on public roads. Both Aurora and Kodiak applied for permits shortly after the rule change took effect.

Under the current permits, testing is allowed only with a safety driver behind the wheel. Kodiak AI has already begun testing with a handful of trucks, primarily around its office in Mountain View, California. Aurora Innovation also received a permit, though the company has not yet disclosed when its testing will begin.

California has already seen the deployment of autonomous taxis from companies like Waymo and Cruise. Now, the state is moving to allow autonomous trucks, which could transform the logistics industry. The DMV's decision is seen as a significant step toward commercializing self-driving freight transportation, potentially reducing costs and improving safety on highways. However, the technology remains in early stages, and regulators are closely monitoring the tests before allowing fully driverless operations.