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
Nova Scotia Class 7 Rules: Supervising Driver, Passengers, Zero Alcohol
What a Nova Scotia Class 7 learner can and cannot do: who can be your supervising driver, who can ride with you, night driving, zero alcohol and drugs, demerit points and fines.
Vermont Driver's Ed Requirements: 30-6-6 Course and 40-Hour Log
Vermont requires driver's ed for every license applicant under 18: a 30-6-6 course plus 40 practice hours, 10 at night. See who can sign the practice log.
Arkansas Learner's License Rules for 14- and 15-Year-Olds
Arkansas learner's license for ages 14 and 15: who can get it, the three tests, the licensed driver 21 or older, the phone rule and when it expires.
Connecticut Work Zone Safety Course: Required Before Permit Test (2026)
Yes, the free online Connecticut Work Zone Safety Course is required before your permit test. See who must take it, the steps, and what to give the DMV.
Florida TLSAE vs. DETS Course: Which Drug and Alcohol Course You Need
Florida law ties the TLSAE course to adult first-time applicants, and FLHSMV lists DETS for a learner's license. See which course fits you and what to do next.
Moving to Hawaii From the Mainland: Swap Your License With an Eye Test
Moving to Hawaii with a valid mainland license? Honolulu lists no written test for a transfer. See the steps, the documents and what an expired license needs.
Do You Still Need a Driving Eligibility Certificate in NC?
North Carolina ended the Driving Eligibility Certificate on October 1, 2026. See what changed and what teens still need for a limited learner permit.
Alberta Learner's Test in Punjabi and Other Languages (25 Languages)
Take the Alberta Class 7 knowledge test in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, Arabic, Chinese, Cree and more. See the audio test, the translator rule and the fees.
How to Get Your Learner's Licence in BC (Class 7L, 2026)
The steps to get a Class 7L learner's licence in British Columbia: age, parent consent, the ICBC knowledge test, ID, fees and the wait before the road test.
Connecticut Teen Driver Rules: 11 p.m. Curfew, Passengers and Phones
Connecticut drivers who are 16 or 17 face an 11 p.m. curfew, passenger limits for the first year and a ban on all phone use. See the rules and the exceptions.
Nova Scotia Class 5N Rules: Curfew, Passengers and Zero Alcohol
What a Nova Scotia Class 5N newly licensed driver can and cannot do: the 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, passengers, zero alcohol, demerit points and the 5N length.
What to Bring to the Alberta Learner's Test (ID and Proof of Status)
Bring documents that prove who you are, that you live in Alberta and that you may be in Canada, plus glasses if you wear them. See examples and the fee.