Missouri reviewing state CDL standards and holding House hearings after egregious wrong way driver failed ELP test

The state of Missouri is reviewing state commercial driver licensing standards and holding a House hearing after a truck driver was placed out of service for driving the wrong way and failing an English Language Proficiency test. 

Abdiasis Ibrahim Ali of Minnesota was placed out of service in late February after driving the wrong way on Highway 6 in Missouri. Once pulled over by police, Ali failed a roadside ELP test and “couldn’t read basic road signs.” 

Since the incident, a bill sponsored by Missouri Representative Don Mayhew has been introduced in the Missouri House — HB 3491. The bill would modify CDL requirements for foreign applicants and raise standards for obtaining and keeping valid CDLs in the state. A special committee hearing reviewing state standards will be held in the Missouri House on March 4th at 4 p.m. in House Hearing Room 1 at the Missouri State Capitol. The hearing is open to the public and will address the proposed bill, reported Fox2.

“This hearing is about protecting Missouri families,” said Representative  and chair of the House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Tricia Byrnes in a press release. “When someone is operating an 80,000-pound vehicle on our highways, there can be no ambiguity about their ability to read road signs, understand traffic laws, and meet safety standards.”

“Missourians expect their licensing system to prioritize safety and accountability,” Mayhew said. “HB 3491 is a commonsense step to ensure that standard is upheld.”