In EASAland BPF, we have a class rating, and if required a type rating. Generally speaking, light aeroplanes don't require a type rating.
Class ratings need you to pass a skill test in the first place, then revalidating every 2 years: for the SEP class rating that's 12 hours in the second of every 2 years: of which at least 6 hours have to be PiC and 1 hour with an instructor (not the same as an FAA BFR, as the instructional flight doesn't need to be passed, just flown).
As the OP's never passed a skill test, AND not flown one in over 2 years, he's not got a valid SEP class rating.
You could certainly make a case that somebody sufficiently qualified to fly a 747 should be trusted to display sufficient good judgement to decide what "lower" class they're competent to fly, and what training they need to become competent. However, there are sufficient accident reports from before this became mandatory to demonstrate that that's not true.
I suspect that the OP has already demonstrated sufficiently good judgement, to make sure he does things right. But others haven't, and the rules now are what they are because of people with poorer judgement in the past.
G