In my area (New Brunswick, Canada) you do a written test (+eye exam) to obtain your learner's permit (class 7.1) which costs 25 dollars.

With a class 7.1 permit, you must be accompanied at all times by one (and only one) passenger who has their full licence and minimum three years of driving experience. At this level, there's a zero-tolerance policy for BAC above 0%. Additionally, driving outside the hours of 5:00 a.m. to midnight is forbidden. After a year (or 8 months, if you choose to attend a driver training school & graduate) you're eligible to take a road test for your class 7.2 licence.

With a class 7.2 permit, you're allowed up to three passengers, with no need for them to have drivers licences. You're now allowed to drive between midnight and 5 a.m. but only for work/education purposes or if accompanied by a passenger with their full licence (unless you're above 21 in which case no night time restrictions) Zero percent BAC still applies until age 21 at this level.

When you're 18 years-old or older and have minimum 2 years of driving experience, you're eligible for your full (class 5) licence. This might all sound like a lot when written out but it is extraordinarily easy to obtain a permit here. I messed up decently bad on my road test and the instructor basically said "eh, don't do that OK? Alright you pass."