I took my Driver’s Ed in high school 45 years ago. It was an elective and we did have to pay for it (I don’t remember the cost but it wasn’t expensive).

The instructor was one of the teachers, and we’d go out 3 students and the instructor, taking turns driving. It helped to learn from others mistakes, too.

I don’t know when they stopped it, but kids nowadays don’t seem to be much interested in getting their DL. Back then it was a step toward adulthood and everyone wanted to get theirs asap.