It all depends upon state. I think the learners permit requires another licensed, adult driver to be in the vehicle and has other restrictions.

That said, I’m with you. I originally learned to drive in rural Ohio. I moved to Japan and finally decided to get my license. Since my Ohio license expired, I had to start from zero. I spent two weeks knocking it out at a training camp (there’s a restriction on the number of hours of practical training per day, so there was a fair amount of free time). First, had to pass some basic checks. They did start practical on the first or second day on their closed course. There’s a mid-point test that one must pass before being able to go out on the roads. There’s a number of hours more of this and then two final tests (course and driving).

I got my mid-sized motorcycle license this year and that was also a number of hours (I want to say 17 altogether since I had a regular car license), though exclusively on the closed course.