Omar Husainov wanted to be a doctor – today he's a proud trucker

RoadStars meets

Truck instead of operating theatre.

From central Asia to Mainz: Omar Husainov's life has turned out completely differently from his original plans. Omar from Tajikistan is really happy with his job as a truck driver.

Proud trucker. Omar Husainov actually wanted to go into medicine, but the civil war in his home country of Tajikistan spoiled that plan.


Omar Husainov actually wanted to become a doctor. But in 1991, when he had his degree certificate in his home country of Tajikistan and was planning to train as an trauma surgeon, the civil war put the end to his plans. Because his first wife had German roots, he fled to Germany. "Then first of all I had to learn German and earn money to support my family in Russia."

Omar worked for a cousin's cleaning firm. When the business was not going well, Omar considered returning to medicine. Unfortunately, however, his Tajik degree was not recognised.



On the road with Pink Floyd.

An internship at a hospital in Mainz confirmed his suspicions: "My German wasn't good enough for me to work as a doctor here." So Omar decided to become a truck driver. "I wanted a secure job and I don't like office work," says Omar, now 52 years old. "Also, I like travelling and I like driving." Although working as a doctor and driving a truck could not be more different – he's never regretted his choice of profession: "Better to be a good truck driver than a bad doctor."

And preferably a trucker with a three-pointed star. Not only is the three-pointed star on his dark-blue Actros 1845: he also delivers to Mercedes-Benz showrooms. He worked for Helmrath freight company for seven years and since September 2017 he has been driving for Kühne + Nagel. Omar is on the road from Monday to Friday between 5 p.m. and 2 in the morning. "That suits me well: I'm not an early riser." While he's driving, Pink Floyd music comes from the speakers. "My biggest dream is to see them live at a concert some time."

Omar likes always doing the same route. "That way I can sleep in my own bed at home every night and run the treadmill three times a week."


Trucker with a three-pointed star. Omar delivers to Mercedes-Benz showrooms with his Actros 1845.


"Better to be a good truck driver than a bad doctor."

– Omar Husainov


Tajik delicacies.

If you want to relax at the end of your working week, normally Saturday or Sunday is your favourite day. For Omar, it's Friday. Of course, he looks forward to the weekend too. Then he takes time for his family, or to meet up with friends, go for walks and on summer evenings enjoy a barbecue on the banks of the Rhine.

Once a month he cooks for his wife and their daughter. They eat the Tajik national dish, plov, also known as pilaf, with rice, lamb and vegetables. "A bit oily, but it's delicious," Omar enthuses. Although he acquired German citizenship in 2003, Omar loves Tajik culture in his second homeland too.

Omar is the proud owner of a C-Class Mercedes which he had converted to gas power. He takes the family to Lake Garda in it every summer.


Photos: Alex Kraus

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