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
Driving in Hawaii With a Foreign License: One Year, IDP, Exchange
Visitors can drive in Hawaii on a foreign license with an IDP for one year from arrival. Only Japan, Korea and Taiwan can swap it for a Hawaii license.
NC Driver's Ed Requirements: 30 Hours Classroom, 6 Hours Behind the Wheel
North Carolina driver's ed starts at 14 1/2: 30 classroom hours and at least 6 hours behind the wheel. See the permit steps, work zone course and adult rules.
How to Get Your Full Class 5 Licence in Nova Scotia (Exit GDL)
How a Nova Scotia Class 5N driver gets a full Class 5 licence: the 24 months, the courses that count, old courses, and the rules for 2 more years.
Arkansas Intermediate License Rules: 11 p.m. Curfew, Passengers, Phone
Arkansas intermediate license rules for ages 16 and 17: the 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. limit, one unrelated minor passenger, no phone and when the limits end.
BC Class 7L Restrictions: Supervisor, Passengers and Hours
What a B.C. Class 7L learner can and cannot do: who can supervise, how many passengers, the red L sign, driving hours, alcohol and devices.
Connecticut Teen Driver Penalties: 48-Hour License Suspension
Connecticut police take a teen's license for 48 hours for some violations. See the longer suspensions, the 0.02% under-21 alcohol limit and retraining.
How Much Is a Learner Permit in NC? DMV Fees and Retakes (2026)
The North Carolina Level 1 learner permit costs $25.50. See the Level 2 and Level 3 fees, how to pay NCDMV, school road test fees and the retake rules.
Nova Scotia New Driver Demerit Points and Suspensions Explained
Learners are suspended at 4 demerit points, Class 5N drivers at 6 and full drivers at 10. See how long a suspension lasts and how points come off.
Alberta Class 5 Road Test: How to Book, What to Bring and How It Is Scored
Book the Alberta Class 5 road test at 16 or older after 12 months on a Class 7. See the vehicle checklist, the 75-point limit, automatic fails and fees.
Arkansas Driving Test: What to Bring, Car Rules, What Fails
Arkansas skills test: bring your original permit, a licensed driver 21 or older, insurance and registration. See the car rules, what fails and the penalties.
N Driver Rules in B.C.: Passengers, N Sign and Zero Alcohol
What a B.C. Class 7 (N) driver can do: the passenger limit, the N sign, zero alcohol and drugs, no devices, and what changed on October 19, 2026.
What to Bring to the NC DMV for a Learner Permit or License
See which documents to bring to a North Carolina driver license office: identity, Social Security, address, legal presence and insurance, plus what a teen adds.