An increasing number of transplant centers have adopted robot-assisted living donor nephrectomy. Thus, a transplant fellow assessment tool is needed for promoting operative independence in an objective and safe manner. In this pilot study, data was prospectively collected on both fellow performance with focus on technique, efficiency, and communication (“overall RO-SCORE”), and operative steps (“operative steps RO-SCORE”). Robotic user performance metrics were analyzed from the da Vinci Xi system, including fellow percent active control time (ACT) and handoff counts. From July 2020 to February 2021, twenty-one robot-assisted donor nephrectomies were performed. In regression analysis, fellow performance (based on both RO-SCOREs and robot % ACT) was significantly associated with both time and case number, with time-to-independence modelled at 8.4–14.2 months, and case number-to-independence estimated at 15–22 cases. Robot user metrics provided valid objective measures alongside RO-SCOREs. This pilot study provides an effective assessment tool for promoting operative competency in robot-assisted donor nephrectomy among transplant fellows. •Transplant centers are rapidly adopting robot-assisted living donor nephrectomy.•Objective assessment is critical for fellows to gain independence in this procedure.•Performance was measured with RO-SCORE and da Vinci Xi robot user-specific metrics.•Estimated time to independence was 8.4 to 14.2 months; estimated case number to independence was 15 to 22.•This novel tool provides a comprehensive assessment of transplant fellow competency.