diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 1ee23b89..7b4123e9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -19,6 +19,20 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
+      - name: Ensure Docker access
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          if docker ps >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            exit 0
+          fi
+          test -S /var/run/docker.sock || (echo "Docker socket is not available." >&2; exit 1)
+          if command -v sudo >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            sudo -n chmod 666 /var/run/docker.sock
+          else
+            chmod 666 /var/run/docker.sock
+          fi
+          docker ps >/dev/null
+
       - name: Setup Node.js
         if: ${{ matrix.suite == 'unit' }}
         uses: actions/setup-node@v4
@@ -97,6 +111,20 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
+      - name: Ensure Docker access
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          if docker ps >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            exit 0
+          fi
+          test -S /var/run/docker.sock || (echo "Docker socket is not available." >&2; exit 1)
+          if command -v sudo >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            sudo -n chmod 666 /var/run/docker.sock
+          else
+            chmod 666 /var/run/docker.sock
+          fi
+          docker ps >/dev/null
+
       - name: Materialize CI compose env files
         run: |
           set -euo pipefail
@@ -139,6 +167,20 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
+      - name: Ensure Docker access
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          if docker ps >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            exit 0
+          fi
+          test -S /var/run/docker.sock || (echo "Docker socket is not available." >&2; exit 1)
+          if command -v sudo >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            sudo -n chmod 666 /var/run/docker.sock
+          else
+            chmod 666 /var/run/docker.sock
+          fi
+          docker ps >/dev/null
+
       - name: Materialize CI compose env files
         run: |
           set -euo pipefail