Ahhhh yes, good old government efficiency... I just this past week needed to get my Class F (Farm) heavy truck endorsement ( >26,000 pounds, double bottoms, air brakes) on my driver's license in preparation for corn harvest... I drove semi's for a living over 50 years ago so I am not intimidated by the test...
So I bop off to the sec'y of state office and take the written test for the Class F heavy truck endorsement... Passed it and given my endorsement... I also added the Canadian passport endorsement so they had my Birth Certificate in hand at that moment, so I idly asked if I could make an appointment to take the on-the-road driving test which will complete the requirements for a Class A Commercial license to drive for hire (have no intention of driving for hire, just wanted to add the endorsement)... You must show a birth certificate or passport for the Class A CDL and I was right there - figured to get two birds with one stone The answer was nope, you have to go to a private company and get an approval slip from them first (like getting signed off to take your private pilot check ride)...
OK, so I call the local truck driver's school... Yikes, it is $4,000 and 20 weeks... I tell them I know how to drive, that I have the commercial written test passed and I don't need their school, and all I want is to demonstrate to them I can drive and back a double bottom trailer to meet the standards of the state... I'm willing to pay them for their time and use of their truck and the sign off - I'm thinking maybe 500 bucks...
NOPE... It is $4K or go away + 20 weeks... And you thought aviation was expensive...
denny-o