What happened to Rob Love's license in St. Petersburg
Rob Love, an attorney licensed to practice law in Florida, had his law license suspended by the Florida Supreme Court. This suspension is a disciplinary action taken against lawyers who violate professional conduct rules — it is separate from a driver's license suspension, though the two can sometimes overlap if the underlying conduct involves driving violations.
A law license suspension means Love cannot practice law during the suspension period. It does not automatically suspend his ability to drive a personal vehicle, but it does signal a disciplinary history that may affect how insurers view him as a customer. If the suspension resulted from conduct involving a vehicle — such as a DUI, reckless driving, or failure to maintain insurance — then a driver's license suspension could follow separately.
The Florida Supreme Court publishes disciplinary actions against lawyers in its official records. These are public documents, and the reasons for suspension vary: some involve client trust account violations, others involve dishonesty or failure to follow court orders, and some involve criminal conduct including traffic offenses.
Key Takeaways
- A law license suspension is a professional discipline action and does not automatically suspend your driver's license, but it becomes part of your public record.
- If the conduct behind the suspension involved a vehicle or driving (such as DUI or reckless driving), your driver's license may be suspended separately by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
- Insurance companies can see public disciplinary records and may use them as a factor when deciding whether to insure you or what rate to charge.
- A suspended driver's license requires an SR22 form and high-risk insurance; a suspended law license does not, but both can raise your insurance costs.
How a professional license suspension differs from a driver's license suspension
A law license suspension is handed down by the Florida Supreme Court's disciplinary system and affects only the person's right to practice law. It appears in the Florida Bar's public records and in court documents, but it does not automatically appear on your driving record with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
A driver's license suspension, by contrast, is issued by DHSMV and appears on your driving record. It prevents you from legally driving and triggers insurance requirements like an SR22 form. The two suspensions are separate systems, though the same incident — such as a DUI conviction — can trigger both.
If Rob Love's law license suspension resulted from a traffic-related offense (DUI, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, or failure to maintain insurance), then DHSMV would have issued a separate driver's license suspension. If the suspension was for non-driving conduct (such as mishandling client funds or dishonesty in a legal matter), then his driver's license would not be affected.
Whether insurance companies see professional discipline records
Insurance companies do not routinely pull Florida Bar disciplinary records the way they pull driving records from DHSMV. However, they may discover this information through other means: a background check, a news search, or information you disclose on your insurance process.
When you explore for auto insurance, you are asked about traffic violations, accidents, and sometimes criminal history. You are not typically asked about professional license suspensions. However, if the suspension resulted from a DUI, reckless driving, or other traffic offense, that violation will appear on your driving record, and the insurer will see it there.
If an insurer learns that you have a suspended professional license through a background check or public records search, they may view it as a sign of legal or financial trouble and may decline to insure you or charge a higher rate. This is more likely if the suspension involved dishonesty, fraud, or criminal conduct.
Insurance impact if your driver's license is also suspended
If the conduct behind the law license suspension also resulted in a driver's license suspension, your insurance situation changes significantly. You will need an SR22 form (also called a Certificate of Financial Responsibility) filed with DHSMV before you can legally drive again. This form proves to the state that you carry the minimum required liability insurance.
Insurers that offer SR22 coverage typically charge higher premiums because they view you as high-risk. The cost increase varies by insurer and by the reason for suspension — a DUI suspension usually costs more than a suspension for unpaid traffic tickets. You may also be required to carry continuous coverage without any lapses; a lapse can result in another suspension.
Some insurers will not write SR22 policies at all, so you may have to use a high-risk insurer. The SR22 requirement typically lasts three years from the date your license is reinstated, though this varies by state and by the offense.
Steps to reinstate a suspended driver's license in Florida
If your driver's license is suspended, you cannot straightforward wait out the suspension period and drive again. You must take specific steps with DHSMV to reinstate it.
First, determine the reason for suspension and the reinstatement requirements. You can check your driving record through DHSMV's online portal or by visiting a local driver's license office. The requirements depend on the reason — for example, a suspension for unpaid traffic fines requires payment; a suspension for DUI requires completion of a substance abuse course and proof of SR22 insurance.
Once you have met all requirements, you must file an SR22 form with DHSMV (if required) and pay the reinstatement fee, which is typically $150 to $300. DHSMV will then reinstate your license, usually within a few business days. You cannot legally drive until reinstatement is complete.
Insurance options after reinstatement
After your driver's license is reinstated, you will still be considered high-risk for insurance purposes, and you will need to maintain continuous SR22 coverage for the duration of the requirement (usually three years). During this time, you should shop around annually, as rates and availability change.
Some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers and may offer better rates than others. You can also ask about discounts for completing a defensive driving course, maintaining a clean driving record during the SR22 period, or bundling auto insurance with other policies. Each year of clean driving typically lowers your rate.
Once the SR22 requirement expires, you can drop the SR22 form and move to standard insurance, though you may still pay a higher rate than drivers with clean records. The suspension will remain on your driving record for a set period (usually five to seven years in Florida), and insurers can see it during that time.
What to do if you are denied insurance or quoted a very high rate
If you are denied insurance or quoted a rate you cannot afford, you have options. First, shop with multiple insurers — rates for high-risk drivers vary widely, and some companies specialize in this market. Use online comparison tools or call insurers directly.
Second, check your driving record for errors. DHSMV's online system lets you view your record, and you can dispute inaccurate information. A mistake on your record can artificially raise your rate.
Third, ask about discounts. Defensive driving courses, bundling policies, and paying in full rather than monthly can lower your premium. Some insurers also offer usage-based programs that monitor your driving and reward safe behavior with discounts.
If you still cannot find coverage, contact your state's insurance commissioner's office. Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation can help if you believe you are being unfairly denied or overcharged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a suspended law license show up on my driving record?
No. A law license suspension is a professional discipline matter and appears only in Florida Bar records and court documents. It does not appear on your DHSMV driving record unless the underlying conduct also resulted in a traffic violation or criminal conviction.
Can I drive if my law license is suspended but my driver's license is not?
Yes. A suspended law license does not prevent you from driving. You can only drive if your driver's license is valid and not suspended. If only your law license is suspended, your driving rights are unaffected.
What if I was convicted of a DUI that led to both suspensions?
You will need an SR22 form to reinstate your driver's license. Your law license suspension may be longer or may require additional steps (such as ethics courses or a fitness hearing) before reinstatement. Contact the Florida Bar's disciplinary system and DHSMV separately, as they operate independently.
How long does a driver's license suspension stay on my record?
The suspension itself is removed from your record after a set period (usually five to seven years in Florida), but insurers can see it during that time. Even after it is removed, you may still pay higher rates for several more years.
Can I get my SR22 requirement removed early?
No. The SR22 requirement is set by DHSMV based on the reason for suspension and cannot be removed early. You must maintain it for the full period (usually three years) or face another suspension.