If you took an American into most other countries, and he needed a license....they would not discuss the matter until he provides a visa or residence permit. I wouldn’t have a problem with some alien here on some four-year period for college, with a limited four-year visa...getting a driver’s license that is limited to four years.
But the idea that the guy shows up with no real ID (passport, national ID, etc), and gets the license without any visa/residence paperwork? No, that simply won’t work.
That’s the case here in Japan. Once you have the legal residence status, they put you through hoops sending you to driving school and I know many who had to try many times to get that license. It’s built into the system and many pay up to $2000 to the driving school.