Kodiak AI and DTL Transport Begin First Autonomous Truck Deliveries Under California DMV Permit
Kodiak AI has started hauling perishable produce for California trucking company DTL Transport between Fresno and Los Angeles, the first deliveries under a new California DMV permit for heavy-duty autonomous trucks.
- Approximately 225 miles
- August 13, 2026
- September 22, 2026
- End of 2026
What Happened
Kodiak AI and DTL Transport Inc. have launched their collaboration, marking the first autonomous trucking deliveries under Kodiak's new California DMV permit. Kodiak's autonomous trucks are hauling time-sensitive, perishable commodities between Fresno, California and a distribution center in Los Angeles, a route spanning approximately 225 miles mostly on California State Route 99 and Interstate 5. The pilot started on September 22. A human safety driver will remain behind the wheel during the companies' initial work together. DTL Transport is headquartered in Fresno and specializes in cross-country team runs hauling produce for several of the nation's largest grocers.
The California DMV approves new regulations allowing heavy-duty autonomous vehicles to be tested on the state's public roads for the first time.
Kodiak receives a heavy-duty Autonomous Vehicle Testing permit from the California DMV, the first step in the DMV's phased permitting approach.
Kodiak's pilot with DTL Transport begins, hauling perishable goods between Fresno and a Los Angeles distribution center.
Kodiak plans to launch driverless operations on public highways in Texas.
225miles
Fresno, California to a distribution center in Los Angeles, mostly on California State Route 99 and Interstate 5.
“California's comprehensive autonomous vehicle regulations are a major unlock for freight innovation in our home state. We are pleased to be testing Physical AI in our home state with our permit. We look forward to demonstrating the benefits of this transformative technology with DTL Transport and the impact it can have on grocery distribution.”
“In a constantly evolving freight market, DTL is always looking for ways to leverage new innovations that drive efficiency and value in our operations. Our work with Kodiak helps us understand how embracing this cutting-edge technology improves safety, increases margins, and affirms our leadership position in the industry.”
“As the home of global technology innovation and one of the world's largest logistics economies, California is a natural testing ground for the next generation of freight technologies. This pilot highlights the potential for autonomous trucking to be another tool to strengthen California supply chains, support California agriculture, and improve the efficiency of goods movement across the state.”
The DMV permit marks the first step in the agency's phased permitting approach, which progresses from driver-in testing to driver-out testing and, ultimately, to driver-out deployment. DTL Transport is exploring how autonomy can complement its existing fleet and its team of experienced, professional drivers, and says autonomy allows it to grow capacity when demand exceeds available fleet assets, adding to supply-chain resilience and dependability. Both companies will cultivate insights into how autonomy may benefit transit times, shipping costs and produce shelf life, potentially offering a means to relieve pressure on rising food costs. Results from this pilot work allow Kodiak and DTL Transport to consider further opportunities in California and beyond.
Previously from Kodiak Robotics, Inc.
In August 2026, Kodiak AI obtained a California DMV permit to test heavy-duty autonomous trucks with a safety driver, the first time such vehicles were allowed on the state's public roads. Kodiak has also said its driverless long-haul safety case is 93 percent complete, keeping the company on target to launch highway commercial service without a driver in the cab by the end of 2026.
- Kodiak AI Receives California Permit to Test Autonomous Trucks on Public Roads
- Kodiak Stays on Track for Year-End Driverless Long-Haul Launch as Safety Case Readiness Hits 93%
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Kodiak Robotics, Inc.'s official releases.
Why this matters
California only recently allowed heavy-duty autonomous trucks on its public roads, so this pilot is an early test of what that means for real freight. It matters to logistics providers weighing capacity limits, to professional drivers, and to grocery supply chains, because Kodiak and DTL will study transit times, shipping costs and produce shelf life.
Terms in This Story
- Physical AI
- Artificial intelligence that perceives and acts in the physical world, for example by controlling a moving vehicle, rather than only processing text or data.
- Driver-out testing
- Testing an autonomous vehicle on public roads with no human safety driver inside the vehicle.
- Heavy-duty Autonomous Vehicle Testing permit
- A permit issued by a state Department of Motor Vehicles that allows large commercial autonomous vehicles to be tested on public roads under set conditions.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.