The Superintendence of Economic Competition (SCE) in Ecuador has reported that several driving schools in Quito engaged in price manipulation by coordinating their pricing strategies, which negatively impacted individuals seeking driving courses to obtain their driving licenses. The SCE's technical analysis revealed that these institutions did not compete independently, instead exchanging commercial information and setting prices collectively. This lack of competition meant that potential customers could not find more affordable options in the market, ultimately harming consumers.

As a consequence of these findings, the SCE has imposed fines totaling over $2.2 million on the implicated driving schools in an effort to curtail such anti-competitive practices. This action underscores the regulatory authority of the SCE, which operates under constitutional provisions aimed at preserving free market competition within the country. The decision comes as a significant move toward enhancing consumer rights and market fairness in the driving education sector.

The case specifically pertains to the Metropolitan District of Quito and was made public on February 9. The SCE emphasized the importance of its role in regulating the economic environment and ensuring that consumers have access to fair and equitable pricing in essential services such as driving education. This case could serve as a precedent for future regulatory measures against similar practices in Ecuador's education sector and beyond.