It takes next to nothing to get a license because politicians are in the back pockets of automakers, auto dealers, insurance companies and oil companies - all of whom WANT people out there driving (and consuming related goods & services) as quickly as possible. This is the reason meaningful appropriations towards mass transit have been routinely snubbed in favor of highway and roadway construction since the 1950s. I could post a bunch of sources backing this, but just Google it - you might be surprised at what you find (e.g. elimination of the "red cars" in L.A. c. 1950, L.A. monorail proposal defeated c. 1965, etc. just for a couple off the top of my head).
But don't forget, "it's a privilege. . ."
Yea, try to survive in our society without a car or license. . . It's like trying to survive without electricity.