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
Moving to Iowa: Transfer Your Out-of-State Driver's License (2026)
New to Iowa? See when the law treats you as a resident, which tests you may skip, the two address proofs you bring, and when the new card arrives by mail.
Ontario G1 Test: Format, Pass Mark and How Long It Takes
What the Ontario G1 knowledge test looks like: the sections, the 80% pass mark, how long it takes, when you get your result and what a retry covers.
Indiana Hands-Free Law: Phone Rules for All Drivers and Drivers Under 21
Indiana bans holding a phone while you drive. See what you can still do, the stricter rule for drivers under 21, and the fine and points.
Kansas Teen Driver Penalties: Breaking GDL Rules, Tickets and Suspensions
What happens when a Kansas teen breaks permit, restricted license or farm permit rules: 30-day, 90-day and one-year suspensions, tickets and phone limits.
Driving in Mississippi on a Foreign License: Non-U.S. Citizen Rules
You may drive in Mississippi on a valid foreign license for 60 consecutive days at 18 or older. See the papers, steps and limits for a Mississippi license.
Foreign Driver's License in Virginia: Reciprocal Countries and Tests
You can exchange a valid foreign license in Virginia at 18 or older. See the reciprocal countries, the DL 7 check, the tests and what to bring to DMV.
Foreign Driver's License in Idaho: Tests for Germany, Korea, Others
Foreign driver's license in Idaho: which countries skip the skills test, what the knowledge test and fees are, and whether you keep your foreign license.
Indiana New Driver Penalties Under 21: Points and Suspension
A ticket on an Indiana probationary license adds points, and two convictions can mean a Driver Safety Program. See how points work and what suspends a license.
Iowa Driver's License With a Foreign License: Reciprocity and Tests
Can you swap a foreign license for an Iowa license? See the four reciprocity places, the tests, the USCIS documents and how long the card is valid.
What to Bring to the Ontario G1 Test: ID, Fee and Glasses
Which original ID to bring, what the G1 fee is, when you need glasses, and when to arrive at a DriveTest centre for the Ontario G1 knowledge test.
New to Vermont? How to Transfer Your Out-of-State License Within 60 Days
New Vermont residents must get a Vermont license within 60 days of moving. See the deadline, the eye exam, what to bring, the fee, and the rules for teens and CDLs.
Kansas Cell Phone Laws for Drivers: Texting, Teens and School Zones
See what Kansas law says about phones while you drive: the texting ban for all drivers, the stricter rule for teens, and the new school zone and work zone rule.