This isn't a purely american thing, the swedish system largely relies on a mix of instructor-led classes and parent-led "homework". Although there are a bunch o

This isn't a purely american thing, the swedish system largely relies on a mix of instructor-led classes and parent-led "homework". Although there are a bunch of safeguards in place: the amateur instructor must have had a license in good standing for N years, must have taken a special instructor's course recently, and must have a license to instruct that specific student. It does end up with a bunch of weird legal quirks though (for example: DUI laws apply to the amateur instructor but not the student). There are also separate car signs for professional vs amateur instructors.