Kodiak and Roehl Transport Launch Autonomous Route Between Dallas and Houston Autonomous Truck Testing Moves Ahead in California as Teamsters Challenge Rules California has begun permitting heavy-duty autonomous truck testing, with Aurora and Kodiak among the first to receive approval, as the Teamsters sue the DMV over the new regulations. - California has initiated testing for heavy-duty autonomous trucks, marking a significant development in transportation technology. - Companies like Aurora and Kodiak are among the first to receive approval for this autonomous truck testing. - The Teamsters union is challenging the new regulations by filing a lawsuit against the California DMV. *Summarized by AI Two autonomous-truck companies have received a permit to test autonomous trucks in California, but the Teamsters union is fighting it. Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI have received drivered testing permits under the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ newly expanded Autonomous Vehicle Tester program, which allows permitted heavy-duty autonomous vehicle developers to test and deploy their technology on California roads for the first time. These permits allow autonomous trucks to operate in California with a safety driver behind the wheel. Both companies are based in California, but they haven’t been able to deploy trucks in their home state because the rules didn’t allow them. Gatik and Plus.ai are also permit holders, according to the California DMV website. California's New Autonomous-Vehicle Regulations In April 2026, the DMV enacted autonomous-vehicle regulations for the first time that allow commercial trucks and other vehicles over 10,000 pounds to operate fully autonomously on public roads in California. The new regulations allowed AV manufacturers to apply for permits to test and deploy heavy-duty autonomous vehicle technology on California roadways. The rule requires manufacturers to begin with testing using a safety driver and progress to driverless testing before applying for commercial deployment. Manufacturers must