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
What to Bring to the Indiana BMV for a Permit or License: Real ID Checklist
The Indiana BMV wants 4 kinds of proof: identity, lawful status, Social Security number and 2 residency documents. See what counts and who needs a Real ID.
How Much Is a Kansas Driver's License? Permit, Test and License Fees
See what a Kansas instruction permit, the tests and a class C license cost by age, plus retest, online test, replacement and late fees, with the law amounts and the $8 photo fee.
What to Bring to a Mississippi Driver License Station (Gold Star REAL ID)
Bring a signed application, a birth certificate, Social Security proof and two proofs of Mississippi residency. See the full list, fees and Gold Star facts.
Vermont Road Test: Vehicle Rules, Maneuvers and Failing
Vermont road test guide: the car you must bring, what gets a vehicle rejected, the three maneuvers, the $23 fee and how long you wait after a fail.
Idaho Driving Skills Test: Errors Allowed, What's on It, Retest Rules
Idaho skills test: 12 or fewer errors and no critical driving error to pass. See how to book, what to bring, what is scored and the 3-day retest wait.
Iowa Teen Driver Penalties: Permit Suspensions, Delays and Tickets
See what Iowa does when a teen with a permit or license gets a ticket or has a crash: suspension lengths, delays to the next license, $70 fines and the $20 fee.
Moving to Illinois: Transfer Your Driver's License in 90 Days
New to Illinois? You can drive on your old license for 90 days. See the tests, documents, fees and steps to transfer your out-of-state license at a DMV.
Four-Way Stop Rules in Ontario: Who Has the Right of Way?
Who goes first at an Ontario four-way stop, what to do when two cars stop together, where to stop and how to treat pedestrians.
Moving to Indiana: Get Your Indiana Driver's License Within 60 Days
New to Indiana? You have 60 days to swap your license. See which tests you take, what to do if it expired or you are under 18, and what to bring.
Mississippi Hardship License for Teens: Who Qualifies and Allowed Reasons
A Mississippi teen on a learner's permit can drive alone to school, work and medical needs only with a hardship license. See who qualifies and the six reasons.
Moving to Kansas: How to Transfer Your Driver's License
New to Kansas? See how many days you have, when a valid license needs only a vision test, when an expired one needs two tests, and which papers to bring.
Getting Your First Vermont Driver's License at 18 or Older
Adults 18 or older get a first Vermont license by passing the online permit test and the road test. See the steps, who rides with you and the fees.