Stephanie Bakalar
Stephanie has spent over a decade advising small and family-owned auto repair shops on growth, hiring, and customer experience. With an MBA from Western and a background in small-business lending, she has worked directly with more than 200 independent Canadian shops on pricing, marketing, and CRA-compliant bookkeeping. She writes about the operational and regulatory side of running a profitable independent garage in Canada.
1384 articles by Stephanie
Iowa Intermediate License at 16 and Full License at 17: GDL Rules
Iowa rules for the intermediate license at 16 and the full license at 17: permit time, supervised hours, clean-record periods, night and passenger limits.
Demerit Points and Penalties for G1 and G2 Drivers in Ontario
How Ontario demerit points work for G1 and G2 drivers: letters at 2 and 6 points, a 60-day suspension at 9, and the 30-day, 90-day and cancellation penalties.
Vermont Permit Documents: What to Bring (REAL ID or DPC)
Bring documents from four groups to the Vermont DMV: identity, Social Security, residency and lawful status. See what each needs and how REAL ID differs from a DPC.
Illinois Adult Driver Education Course: Who Needs It at 18 to 20
Do you need the 6-hour adult driver education course in Illinois? See who must take it at 18, 19 or 20, who can skip it, how to finish it and what comes next.
How Much Is an Indiana Learner's Permit and Driver's License? BMV Fees 2026
See what the Indiana BMV charges in 2026: the $9 learner's permit, the $17.50 license, replacement, late renewal, the free driving test and the Driver Safety Program.
What to Bring to the Kansas DMV: License Documents and REAL ID
Bring one proof of lawful presence, proof of your Social Security number and two proofs of Kansas address. See what to bring for a transfer, a name change and REAL ID.
Mississippi Driver's Ed Requirement 2027: Who Must Take Driver's Education
From July 1, 2027, first-time drivers in Mississippi need a certified driver education course. See who must take it, where to take it and what proof to bring.
Parent-Taught Driver's Ed in Idaho: How the Program Works (2026)
Idaho parents can now teach the driving part of driver's training statewide. See the 30 class hours, 12 driving hours, drive log, permit fee and the next steps.
Illinois Road Test: What to Bring, What's Tested, Automatic Fails
Get ready for the Illinois driving exam: which car to bring, who may ride along, the tasks you are graded on and what fails you at once.
Iowa Parent-Taught Driver's Ed: 30 Hours, Approved Courses and Steps
Teach driver's ed at home in Iowa: who qualifies, approved courses, 30 driving hours with 3 at night, the log, the letter of completion and the drive test.
School Bus Stopping Rules in Ontario: When to Stop and the Fines
When to stop for an Ontario school bus, how far back, what a median changes, when you can go again, and the fines and demerit points.
Vermont Junior Driver's License Rules: Passengers, Work and Phones
Who can ride with a 16 or 17-year-old on a Vermont junior license? See the passenger stages, the work driving ban, the phone rule and the 90-day recall.