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
Can International Students Drive in Florida on a Home Country License?
Florida law says a nonresident full-time student is "also exempt" from a Florida license. See the law text, the 30-day job rule and the F-1 or J-1 documents.
Hawaii Limited Purpose Driver's License: No SSN or Legal Status Needed
Hawaii gives a limited purpose license without proof of legal presence or an SSN. See the documents you still need, how long it lasts and what it cannot do.
Illinois Teen Driver Penalties: Zero Tolerance and Suspensions
See what happens when an Illinois teen driver gets a ticket or has alcohol in the body: warning letters, suspensions, DUI revocation and reinstatement fees.
Driving in Maine With a Foreign License: Visitors, New Residents, Students
Can you drive in Maine on a foreign license? The rules for visitors, international students and new residents, and what the BMV says about the IDP.
International Students in Maryland: Driving and Getting a License
Can an international student drive in Maryland on a home license? See the law, the MVA documents, the tests and the SAVE request to send first.
Foreign Driver's License in Michigan: Visit, Convert or Test
Visiting Michigan? Drive on your home license. Moving? Canadian, German and South Korean licenses convert with no knowledge or road test. Others need a TIP.
Mississippi Teen Driver Penalties: Zero Tolerance and Tickets
A Mississippi driver under 21 breaks the law at .02% BAC. See the $250 fine, the 120-day suspension and how a conviction restarts the one-year permit period.
Can International Students Drive in New Hampshire on a Home License?
When a student may drive in New Hampshire on a home license, when the state may issue its own license, the documents the rule lists and how long it lasts.
Can International Students Drive in Newfoundland? Licence Rules
What an international student needs to drive in Newfoundland and Labrador: visitor or resident status, the IDP, licence exchange, tests and documents.
Getting a Driver's License in NJ at 21 or Older: Steps and Timeline
First license in New Jersey at 21 or older: get an examination permit, practice 3 months and pass the road test. Curfew, passenger and decal rules do not apply.
Driving in North Carolina With a Foreign License: Students and Visitors
What NCDMV says about driving on a foreign or international license in North Carolina, plus F-1 and J-1 documents and the tests for a first license.
North Dakota School Bus Stop Law: When to Stop, $250 Fee and 6 Points
When must you stop for a school bus in North Dakota? Stop from either direction for red lights or the stop arm. Passing has a $250 fee and 6 points.