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.
1417 articles by Stephanie
Tennessee Teen Driver Penalties: Points, Phone Tickets, License Loss
What happens when a Tennessee driver under 18 gets points, a phone ticket, a school dropout record or an alcohol offense, and how each one can cost the license.
Alaska Provisional License Rules: Passengers and 1 to 5 a.m. Limit
Alaska drivers who are 16 or 17 face two limits: who can ride along and no driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. See the exceptions and when the limits end.
Moving to California: How to Transfer Your Driver's License
You may drive on your old license for no more than 10 days after you establish California residency. See the tests, documents and fees for a Class C license.
Wisconsin Probationary License Rules: GDL Curfew and Passengers
What a Wisconsin driver can do with a probationary license at 16: the midnight to 5 a.m. limit, the passenger limit, when limits end and the rules for adults.
Can a 14-Year-Old Drive in Wyoming? Hardship License Rules
In Wyoming, a 14-year-old can drive only with a restricted (hardship) permit or license. See who qualifies, how to apply, the $25 fee and the driving limits.
Colorado Minor License Rules: Passenger Limits and Midnight Curfew
Colorado drivers under 18: no non-family passengers under 21 for 6 months, then one until the license is 1 year old, and no driving midnight to 5 a.m.
Can You Take the Florida Permit Test in Spanish? Exam Language Rules
The Florida Class E Knowledge Exam is in English only. See the practice test options, the driving test interpreter rule, and how to study.
New Hampshire Road Test: What the Examiner Checks and Retest Rules
The New Hampshire road test checks 15 skill groups. See how you fail, which car to bring, when you can retest and what happens after 3 and 6 failures.
North Dakota Road Test: What to Bring, Vehicle Check and Waivers
Booking, what to bring, the vehicle inspection list, the $5 fee and the road test waiver for North Dakota Class D applicants, with the rules for under 16.
Nevada Demerit Points and Teen Driver Penalties Explained
See how Nevada demerit points work, when 12 points means a 6-month suspension, and what a ticket, alcohol or a drug offense can cost a teen driver.
None for the Road: New Mexico DWI Class for New Drivers 18 to 24
If you are 18 to 24 and want your first New Mexico license, you need a DWI class certificate. See what None for the Road is, how to sign up, and what else counts.
Newfoundland Novice Driver Penalties: Zero Alcohol and Demerit Points
What a Newfoundland and Labrador novice driver faces for alcohol or 6 demerit points: 2, 4 and 6 month suspensions, courses and the CAD 200 reinstatement fee.