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
New Driver Probation in NY: 6 Months, Points and Suspensions
New York new drivers have a 6-month probation. See which convictions bring a 60-day suspension, how points work and what junior license holders face.
How Much Are Temps in Ohio? BMV Permit and License Fees (2026)
An Ohio temporary permit costs $26.50. See the BMV fee for each first license by age, the renewal, duplicate and ID card fees, and who pays nothing.
Oklahoma Texting While Driving Law and 2025 School Zone Phone Ban
Oklahoma bans texting by hand while you drive. Since November 1, 2025, you also cannot hold a phone in a marked school zone or a road construction zone.
Rhode Island Driver's License at 18 or Older: The 30-Day Permit Rule
At 18 or older in Rhode Island, you must hold the temporary permit at least 30 days before your road test. See the permit rules, tests, fees and next steps.
Moving to South Dakota? How to Transfer Your Driver's License in 90 Days
New to South Dakota? Learn the 90-day deadline, the $38 fee, the documents to bring and why a valid out-of-state license needs no tests.
Saskatchewan New Driver Penalties: GDL Improvement and Zero Tolerance
What happens when a new Saskatchewan driver gets a ticket, drives after alcohol or drugs, loses the licence, or appeals: the SGI steps, days and points.
Tennessee Road Test: What to Bring, Vehicle Check and Retest
What to bring to the Tennessee road test, the eight items of the vehicle check, what fails you at once and how long you wait to retest.
Washington DOL Proof of Identity: What to Bring for a Permit or License
Washington DOL proof of identity for a permit, license or ID card: the 4 document options, A-list and B-list examples, teen rules and REAL ID.
Alberta Class 7 Learner's Licence Rules: Supervisor, Curfew and Passengers
Who can supervise you, when you cannot drive, how many passengers you can carry and how many demerit points suspend your Alberta Class 7 learner's licence.
California DMV Test Languages: Handbook, Sample Tests, Interpreters
See which languages the California DMV handbook and sample tests come in, how to ask for a free interpreter, and what an interpreter can do on the drive test.
Moving to Alaska: Transfer Your Driver's License in 90 Days
You have 90 days to get an Alaska license after you move. See the tests, the documents, the $20 fee and who can skip the road test.
Wisconsin Points for New Drivers: Double Points and GDL Extensions
What a ticket means for a teen or new driver in Wisconsin: double demerit points, 6-month and 1-year suspensions, GDL extensions, the $50 forfeiture and the sponsor.