PrePass and Kodiak AI Collaborate to Advance Safe, Scalable Driverless Trucking Nationwide
PrePass and Kodiak AI are wiring autonomous truck inspections into existing roadside systems to support upcoming driverless operations.
Rhea-AI Summary
PrePass and Kodiak AI (KDK) have launched a collaboration to link Enhanced Inspections of Kodiak’s autonomous trucks with existing state roadside screening and enforcement systems via the PrePass platform.
The integration automates how inspection data is shared with enforcement personnel, allowing them to verify information, authorize weigh-station bypasses, and issue instructions in real time. Initial deployment starts in Texas and Louisiana and is intended to support Kodiak’s plan to begin driverless commercial trucking operations on public highways by the end of the year, while giving state agencies a way to incorporate autonomous trucks into existing safety and compliance workflows.
Positive
- Automated inspection data sharing connects Kodiak trucks with state enforcement systems
- Initial rollout in Texas and Louisiana creates a template for multi-state expansion
- Supports Kodiak’s plan to launch driverless commercial operations by year-end
Negative
- None.
News Explained
The key change is integration—not a new inspection regime—with expansion tied to PrePass’s disclosed network of more than 580 locations.
As of
Under the disclosed program, a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance-trained inspector checks that an autonomous commercial vehicle is free of safety defects before driverless operation; a successful inspection remains valid for up to 24 hours, subject to program requirements.
PrePass’s network spans more than 580 inspection and screening locations nationwide, giving the collaboration a disclosed infrastructure base for expansion beyond Texas and Louisiana.
Details
Market reaction after driverless trucking partnership: KDK +3.96%
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Key Figures
- Inspection validity
- Up to 24 hours
- Successful Enhanced Inspection
- Initial implementation
- Texas and Louisiana
- Implementation begins today
- Network locations
- More than 580 locations
- Nationwide inspection and screening network
Previous AI Reports
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Autonomy Readiness Measure reached 93% and year-end driverless launch was reaffirmed.
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California DMV granted a heavy-duty commercial autonomous vehicle testing permit.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
enhanced commercial motor vehicle inspection program regulatory
automated driving systems technical
weigh-station bypass technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
New initiative connects autonomous commercial vehicles with established state roadside enforcement infrastructure, creating a practical foundation for deployment across the U.S.
PHOENIX, Sept. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PrePass, a leader in integrated weigh-station bypass, toll payment, safety, and compliance solutions, and Kodiak AI, Inc. (“Kodiak”) (Nasdaq: KDK), a leading provider of Physical AI-powered autonomous driving technology, today announced a new collaboration to integrate Enhanced Inspections of Kodiak’s autonomous trucks, conducted by Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance-trained inspectors, into established state roadside screening and enforcement systems.
Using the trusted PrePass platform, the companies have created an automated bypass process that connects Enhanced Inspection information from Kodiak’s autonomous trucks directly with enforcement personnel who can verify information, authorize bypass, and provide additional instructions as needed.
Initial implementation begins today in Texas and Louisiana, and the collaboration paves the way for the safe scaling of driverless commercial vehicle operations nationwide.
The initiative combines Kodiak’s autonomous driving technology with PrePass’ nationwide infrastructure and longstanding relationships with state enforcement agencies, addressing a key requirement for driverless trucking across state lines.
“The next barrier to scaling driverless trucking isn’t inside the truck. It’s the infrastructure around it,” said Chas Wurster, Chief Technology Officer of PrePass. “PrePass has spent years preparing for this future through federal research, collaboration with state agencies and continued investment in roadside screening technology. By working with Kodiak to advance driverless trucking into real-world commercial operations, PrePass is operationalizing the blueprint for what comes next: bringing states, roadside infrastructure and trusted data together to make autonomous operations work at scale.”
The initiative supports Kodiak’s operational and regulatory readiness as the company prepares to launch driverless commercial vehicle operations on public highways by the end of this year.
CVSA developed the Enhanced Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection Program (Enhanced Inspections) to support commercial vehicles equipped with automated driving systems. Under the program, a CVSA-trained inspector verifies that an autonomous commercial vehicle is free of safety defects before it begins driverless operations.
A successful Enhanced Inspection remains valid for up to 24 hours, subject to applicable program requirements. The PrePass and Kodiak collaboration does not change or replace that process; it makes the resulting inspection information available through established roadside screening systems.
“CVSA welcomes this collaboration between PrePass and Kodiak AI to support the implementation of CVSA’s Enhanced Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection Program for autonomous trucks,” said CVSA Executive Director Collin Mooney. “As commercial motor vehicle technologies continue to advance, inspection and enforcement processes must evolve with them while maintaining a strong focus on transportation safety.”
The collaboration also gives state agencies a practical way to incorporate autonomous trucks into existing safety and enforcement operations without creating a separate roadside process.
“Launching driverless service is not just about building technology. It’s about building a solution that works in the real world,” said Don Burnette, founder and CEO of Kodiak AI. “Our collaboration with PrePass is an important milestone as we prepare to launch long-haul driverless operations. It enables us to provide critical information to commercial vehicle enforcement agencies, maintain compliance with safety requirements and scale the Kodiak Driver across the United States. PrePass’ nationwide footprint, established relationships with state agencies and ability to integrate emerging vehicle technologies make it an important partner in that effort.”
PrePass has decades of experience connecting commercial fleets with state enforcement agencies and roadside infrastructure. Its network spans more than 580 inspection and screening locations nationwide. By building on systems and infrastructure states already use and understand – rather than requiring them to replace proven technology – that footprint provides a foundation for expanding the collaboration beyond Texas and Louisiana and creating a consistent, scalable approach to supporting driverless commercial operations across the country.
About PrePass Safety Alliance
PrePass Safety Alliance is a nonprofit public-private partnership of state agencies and trucking industry leaders devoted to the safe, secure, and efficient use of North America’s highway system. Through widespread deployment of PrePass® advanced
technologies—including the PrePass Mobile App—the Alliance works to increase safety compliance while saving motor carriers time, fuel, and money. To date, the Alliance has invested over
.
About PrePass
PrePass® is the leading provider of weigh station bypass and toll payment services in North America. Operated by the PrePass Safety Alliance, PrePass helps carriers improve safety and efficiency, now including more than one billion safe bypasses and over
About Kodiak AI
Kodiak AI, Inc. (Nasdaq: KDK) is a leader in Physical AI, developing driverless technology that powers machines that move. The core of the company’s solution is the Kodiak Driver, a vehicle-agnostic autonomous driving system that combines advanced AI-powered software with modular hardware. Today, the Kodiak Driver operates in the long-haul trucking, industrial trucking, and defense sectors, and is already deployed in commercial operation with no one in the cab. Kodiak AI commercializes its technology through both a Driver-as-a-Service business model and strategic partnerships. In 2024, Kodiak achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first company to deploy driverless technology in customer-owned driverless semi-trucks. Commercial partners and customers include Atlas Energy Solutions, IKEA, Bridgestone, Werner Enterprises, C.R. England, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Roehl Transport.
For more information, visit kodiak.ai/investors. The Kodiak press kit, including videos and images, is available here.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Ashley Simmons
PrePass Safety Alliance
Ashley@prepassalliance.org | Mobile: 202-341-9508
Pete Bigelow
Kodiak AI
pete.bigelow@kodiak.ai | Mobile: 303-443-4441
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f132629-2f07-447d-adea-441ceb5d76c7.
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
How does the CVSA Enhanced Inspection program work for Kodiak’s autonomous trucks?
Under the CVSA Enhanced Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection Program, a CVSA-trained inspector confirms that an autonomous commercial vehicle is free of safety defects before it begins driverless operations. A successful Enhanced Inspection is valid for up to 24 hours, subject to applicable program requirements. The PrePass–Kodiak collaboration does not change this process; it only makes the resulting inspection information available through existing roadside screening systems.
What role does CVSA play in this collaboration?
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) created the Enhanced Inspection program for vehicles with automated driving systems and, through its executive director, expressed support for the collaboration. CVSA highlights that as commercial motor vehicle technologies advance, inspection and enforcement processes must evolve while maintaining a focus on transportation safety.
How extensive is PrePass’ infrastructure that can support expanding this program?
PrePass connects commercial fleets with state enforcement agencies and roadside infrastructure through a network that spans more than 580 inspection and screening locations nationwide. The company states that this existing footprint, built on systems states already use, provides a foundation for expanding the collaboration beyond Texas and Louisiana.