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
Foreign Driver's Licence in Nova Scotia: Exchange Countries and Tests
See which countries can exchange a driver's licence in Nova Scotia with only a vision test, what full testing means and how to book the road test.
Foreign Driving Experience in Alberta: The GDL Exemption Explained
No exchange agreement with Alberta? See how the GDL Exemption Program counts your driving years, the steps, the documents and the licence you get.
ICBC-Approved Driving Course in B.C.: Is the GLP Course Worth It?
What an ICBC-approved GLP course includes, and how it cuts the Class 7 novice stage from 24 to 18 months for B.C. drivers under 25.
Moving to Arkansas: How to Transfer Your Driver's License Within 30 Days
New to Arkansas? Get an Arkansas license within 30 calendar days of becoming a resident. See the rules for your old license, the vision test, documents and fee.
Can International Students Drive in Nova Scotia on a Home Licence?
A visitor with a valid home licence can drive in Nova Scotia for up to 180 days. See the student rules, the resident rules, the tests and which ID to bring.
Foreign Driver's License in Arkansas: Countries Exempt From Testing
Only five places are exempt from Arkansas driver testing: Manitoba, Germany, France, Taiwan and South Korea. See the documents, the 30-day rule and test steps.
Foreign Driving Experience in B.C.: How Much Counts for a Class 5?
How B.C. counts your driving years from another country: the months you need by age, the proof ICBC accepts and the effect on your insurance.
What to Bring for a Florida Driver's License: REAL ID Documents List
Bring one primary ID, proof of your Social Security number and two proofs of Florida address to the office. See the document lists for each status.
Hawaii Permit Test Cost by County, Retakes and the 7-Day Wait
The Hawaii online permit test costs $11 to $25 by county. See the retake rules, the 7-day wait after a fail and the 60 days to visit a licensing center.
Nova Scotia School Bus Rules: When You Must Stop (2026 Change)
What Nova Scotia drivers must do when a school bus shows red or amber lights, what changed on divided highways on October 19, 2026, and the maximum fines.
Can International Students Drive in Arkansas? License Rules for F-1 and J-1
Can international students drive in Arkansas? See who may drive on a license from another state, the 6-month rule, the documents and how to book the test.
Can International Students Drive in BC With a Foreign Licence?
International students in B.C.: when you can keep driving on a home licence, when the 90-day rule applies, how to exchange it and what ID to bring.