Drivers ed in OZ schools

[Boza]

I was skyping with some relos I have in the states.
My cousin who is now 15 proudly informed me that he is now doing drivers ed in schools I've heard of it before from tv shows movies etc...
I asked what they taught them he said they teach proper braking and control,(they teach in old cars without driver's aid's) like if a bus pulled out infront how much distance you need etc...
also cover wet roads acceleration etc...
even basic maintenance like tyre pressures oil level etc... washer fluid
He says that in his state new york that if he wants to get his learners at 15 he has to do drivers ed then lodge an application for his learner's so they can check his driver's ed results criminal and health background.
Then when he's 16 he get's his license and can drive pretty much anything that's classed as a LV.
When I asked what car he was saving for he said 05-06 mustang cause by the time he's 16 they'll be cheap and plentiful he's only getting a v6 first ofcourse. Also found it funny that his mum says it easier to get a gun permit than it is a car license cause a car is classed as a deadly weapon in the states go figure.
Any way the point of my story is should driver's ed be mandatory in school's here or is it another costly program for our pollie's