You don't need a system-wide database driver, it has its own client protocol and uses drivers just like any other database:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/connect/sql-connection-...

It can also run in Docker containers on Windows, Mac or Linux and spins up in seconds, along with the usual package manager installs on Redhat/Ubuntu:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/linux/quickstart-instal...