Wrong-Way Semi Driver Failed English Test After Missouri Stop

A Somali truck driver with a Minnesota CDL license was caught driving the wrong way on Highway 61 near Troy, Missouri on Wednesday, February 25. Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped the truck as it was trying to cross over from the northbound to southbound lanes.

Southbound truck on northbound Missouri 61

Lincoln County officials notified the U.S. Department of Transportation who are now investigating the company that hired the Somali driver, Cargo Transportation LLC of Hopkins, Minnesota, which is headquartered out of an apartment building. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has applicants take their tests in class and on the road in English.

Cargo Transportation LLC headquarters - Hopkins, MN.

The question then becomes: How did a Somali man get a Minnesota CDL license without being able to read road signs? If he can’t read English well enough to drive down the right road, how did he pass the written or road test? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association is conducting their own investigation of the Highway 61 wrong way incident.

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It may take a while to get to this case though, as over the last year more than 11,000 CDL drivers have been removed from the road due to lack of English proficiency. In addition to those drivers being taken off the road, over 7000 CDL training schools have been shut down too for not meeting federal standards.