here is more responsibility required by employers than just passing a test & performing lift truck functions in a class room setting. They also must be qualified to do the functions within there actual assigned work area. For example a lift that is used in an outside lumber yard will perform different function than one that works around loading dock. and totally different that a lift that is handling paper roll or carton clamps. Same with reach truck - some have 216" lift masts and some go as high as the moon or some work in freezers, double deep pallet handling (deep reach) big difference on what is required.

Here is a link that might shed some light on what employers are picky https://www dot osha dot gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=14019

eliminate the extra spaces before & after osha and replace dot with a.

Mainly look at the For Employers tab & the Training & Education tab.

Now with drivers license in States they just come in a Cracker Jack box and it shows. In the great state of Georgia - all you have to do is pass a written test, parallel park (which not too many people really do) and get someone to say they gave a young person XX # of hours of behind the wheel training (like a parent or qualified trainer - meaning ya' gotta pay)