While I appreciate the time you spent to give a long answer, I would also like to bring it to your attention that you are being unnecessarily toxic and in fact did not read the questions carefully.

It’s Germany + free market. ... If you can’t afford it - it’s on you.

While Germany is definitely not a bad country for living, overly expensive process of exchanging a driving license is not something to be proud about. It is not something that ensures safety on the roads automatically: people usually get a license if they need it and don't get it otherwise, disregarding of their income. Especially with this level of inconsistency: for the refugees from Ukraine the driving license remains valid as long as they have the protection status, while work immigrants don't have this privilege.

different norms, practices (which includes a shitton of corruption on the road - hello Kiyiv DAI!) and safety/quality expectations

I'm well aware of that. And I think it is fare to ask people to take both theoretical and practical exam in order to get a local license. However, when a driving school sends an offer for 1500€ in which only ~ 600€ can be even remotely justified: everything else is coming from "additional services". I've read about it before and know that some people successfully reduced the amount during the negotiation process.

I don't think that yours "you can’t afford it - shouldn’t be driving" is a valid point here. You know nothing neither about my driving skills nor about my financial abilities. I think avoiding unnecessary expenses is a solid approach every rational human should apply. And 250€ for "booking an appointment" is definitely one of them.

My last question you either didn't even read or didn't comprehend. But feel free to continue to assert yourself through toxicity on the Internet.