Somali Trucker Caught Driving Wrong Way on Missouri Highway

Driver unable to read road signs, failed English proficiency test

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A Somali trucker was caught driving an 80-ton commercial vehicle the wrong way on a Missouri highway. Authorities discovered the driver had a valid commercial license but was unable to read basic road signs or pass an English proficiency test, raising concerns about commercial driver safety requirements.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing challenges around ensuring commercial drivers, especially those from non-English speaking backgrounds, can safely operate large vehicles on public roads. It comes amid a federal crackdown on lax commercial driver's license (CDL) standards in some states.

The details

Missouri state troopers pulled over the Somali trucker after he was filmed driving northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 61 near Troy, Missouri. The driver had a valid Minnesota CDL but was unable to identify basic road signs and failed an English proficiency test during the traffic stop. Authorities said the driver exhibited no signs of impairment or medical issues.

  • The incident occurred around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Cargo Transportation LLC

The company that employed the Somali trucker involved in the incident.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety

The state agency that issued the commercial driver's license to the Somali trucker, and has opened an investigation into the incident.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The federal agency that, along with the U.S. Department of Transportation, has opened an investigation into how the Somali trucker obtained his commercial driver's license.

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Security official who shared video of the incident on social media and confirmed the trucker is now "out of service."

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What they’re saying

“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!”

— Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Security Official (X)

“In Missouri, they have to be able to understand English, take the test in English, and pass the road sign test here.”

— Sgt. Dallas Thompson, Missouri State Highway Patrol (Fox 2 Now)

What’s next

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has opened an investigation into how the Somali trucker obtained his commercial driver's license, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation have also launched an investigation.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of rigorous commercial driver testing and licensing standards, especially for non-English speakers, to ensure the safety of the public on the roads. It also highlights the ongoing federal efforts to crack down on lax CDL requirements in some states.