Somali Truck Driver Removed from Service Following Wrong-Way Highway Incident and Failed English Test
A Somali national truck driver was taken out of service after he drove an 80-ton truck the wrong way on Highway 61 near Troy, Missouri, approximately 55 miles outside St. Louis, at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Authorities reported that the driver failed an English proficiency test during the traffic stop, highlighting concerns over language comprehension in commercial driving.
Details of the Highway Incident
The trucker was filmed driving south in the northbound lanes before crossing over to the correct direction, according to video shared on X by US Transportation Security Sean Duffy. In a post on Wednesday, Duffy wrote, "We have learned that a truck driver with a Minnesota CDL who couldn't read basic road signs spent MILES driving the wrong way in an 80 TON truck!" He confirmed that the "dangerous trucker is now out of service."
Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers discovered that the driver was operating the vehicle despite being unable to identify basic road signs required for a commercial licence, as reported by Fox 2 Now. Authorities noted that the driver had a valid commercial driver's licence and showed no signs of impairment or medical issues.
English Proficiency Test Failure and Regulations
During the traffic stop, police stated that the "driver was unable to complete the English proficiency test," according to Sgt. Dallas Thompson. Thompson explained, "In Missouri, they have to be able to understand English, take the test in English, and pass the road sign test here," adding that state and federal regulations mandate English proficiency for commercial drivers.
Authorities removed the driver from the road without any crash occurring. The driver was licensed in Minnesota and employed by Cargo Transportation LLC. He received a ticket for driving the wrong way, and no arrests were made.
Investigations and Broader Context
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety opened an investigation into the incident. The department confirmed, "We can confirm that all CDL applicants in Minnesota must take their knowledge and behind-the-wheel testing in English to demonstrate the ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle." They added that their Driver and Vehicle Services division follows federal rules set by CFR 383 when issuing CDLs or commercial learner's permits.
Duffy confirmed that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the US Department of Transportation launched an investigation into how the trucker obtained his CDL. This incident follows the Trump administration's announcement last April mandating that all CDL examinations be administered in English to address language comprehension concerns among drivers.
Increased Enforcement and Safety Measures
Pressure to enforce the English proficiency mandate intensified in August after an Indian immigrant truck driver, accused of killing three people in a Florida crash, allegedly failed English and road sign tests. Although commercial drivers were already required to demonstrate English proficiency for a CDL, some states had administered exams in multiple languages.
Last week, New York announced it would no longer grant commercial driver's licences to non-citizens following a Trump administration directive. According to the US Department of Transportation, more than 14,000 truckers were taken out of service for failing basic requirements after Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language.
The department also cracked down on "CDL mills" allegedly "churning out unqualified drivers," shutting down over 550 providers that failed safety standards and purging thousands of training centres from the registry. Duffy emphasized, "We will not stop until America's roads are safe again for families."
