I have no clue what the cost of a license is. Isn't it something that just requires a nominal fee? Maybe this is one of those "Prices may vary in Canada, Alaska, & Hawaii" things. We paid for them to go to college, I'm guessing a fee for DL is a drop in the bucket comparatively.
The license fee is nothing, but insurance is expensive (ours increased by about $300 per month). Our DD had her permit for several years. She didn't "need" to drive so we saved the insurance money. She had the skills and could get her license when she/we decided it was a necessary expense.
She's now 18 and in her second year of college. She got a car and her license this summer. She has a job and is paying most of her own insurance. ($200/ month) We purchased the car and she is paying us back monthly. (We are actually just saving the money and will give it back to her when she graduates, but she doesn't know that)