diff --git a/python/kvikio/kvikio/cufile_driver.py b/python/kvikio/kvikio/cufile_driver.py
index 166bb73304..8556a11fa2 100644
--- a/python/kvikio/kvikio/cufile_driver.py
+++ b/python/kvikio/kvikio/cufile_driver.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2024, NVIDIA CORPORATION. All rights reserved.
 # See file LICENSE for terms.
 
+import atexit
+
 from kvikio._lib import cufile_driver  # type: ignore
 
 # TODO: Wrap nicely, maybe as a dataclass?
@@ -14,6 +16,9 @@ def driver_open() -> None:
     opens the driver, but every call should have a matching call to
     `driver_close`.
 
+    Normally, it is not required to open and close the cuFile driver since
+    it is done automatically.
+
     Raises
     ------
     RuntimeError
@@ -35,3 +40,18 @@ def driver_close() -> None:
         If cuFile isn't available.
     """
     return cufile_driver.driver_close()
+
+
+def initialize() -> None:
+    """Open the cuFile driver and close it again at module exit
+
+    Normally, it is not required to open and close the cuFile driver since
+    it is done automatically.
+
+    Raises
+    ------
+    RuntimeError
+        If cuFile isn't available.
+    """
+    driver_open()
+    atexit.register(driver_close)
diff --git a/python/kvikio/tests/test_cufile_driver.py b/python/kvikio/tests/test_cufile_driver.py
index 42208dcc9f..0a64bf0952 100644
--- a/python/kvikio/tests/test_cufile_driver.py
+++ b/python/kvikio/tests/test_cufile_driver.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Copyright (c) 2022-2024, NVIDIA CORPORATION. All rights reserved.
+# Copyright (c) 2024, NVIDIA CORPORATION. All rights reserved.
 # See file LICENSE for terms.
 
 import pytest