"Idiot test" – All information about the medical-psychological report
What is the MPU? The medical-psychological report at a glance
Since 1954, a medical-psychological examination – MPU for short – has been used in Germany to assess people's fitness to drive. An MPU can be ordered by the driving licence authority if, for example, serious traffic offences such as alcohol or drug consumption at the wheel or due to an overdrawn points account give rise to serious doubts about a person's fitness to drive.
During the examination, experts make a prognosis about the applicant's fitness to drive and check whether the doubts about his fitness to drive are justified. Only those who receive a medical-psychological report can regain their driver's license. However, if you do not pass, you have the option of repeating the MPU.
Who has to go to the "idiot test"? Reasons for the medical-psychological report
An MPU is usually ordered for people whose fitness to drive is questionable due to violations or abnormalities – not only in road traffic. The most common reasons are:
- Drinking and driving: In Germany, the limit for alcohol in road traffic is 0.5 per mille. From 1.1 per mille at the wheel, there is a risk of revocation of the driver's license, from 1.6 per mille an MPU. However, an MPU can also be ordered at lower blood alcohol levels, for example if a person repeatedly attracts attention by driving under the influence of alcohol or if there is a suspicion that there is an alcohol problem.
- Drug consumption: Anyone who participates in road traffic under the influence of drugs must usually expect to have their driver's license revoked - regardless of whether they are a car driver, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian. The driving licence authorities fundamentally doubt that drug users are suitable for driving a vehicle. Therefore, an MPU is usually ordered in such cases.
- Points in Flensburg: Road users in Germany are allowed to have a maximum of seven points in Flensburg. From the eighth point on, the driver's license is withdrawn - and only returned after a positive medical-psychological report.
- Lack of physical fitness: Persons with illnesses or physical impairments – such as missing limbs, balance disorders, hearing loss, impaired vision, diabetes or epilepsy – must prove their fitness to drive as part of an MPU before participating in road traffic.
- Lack of mental aptitude: An increased potential for aggression, limited responsiveness, emotional instability or a lack of self-control can also be reasons for ordering an MPU.
MPU ordered: What do I have to do now?
If a medical-psychological report has been ordered, free information evenings from recognised counselling centres are a sensible start. Here you will get an overview of the MPU process as well as other useful information.
The person concerned is free to decide where he or she completes the "idiot test" – provided that it is an officially recognised assessment centre. You can find a list of recognised MPU centres, sorted by postcode, at the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt).
The person concerned must make an appointment for the medical-psychological examination and the MPU preparation himself. You should not take the preparation lightly: A thorough examination of your own misconduct is absolutely necessary. Preparation courses can be helpful in this regard.
Your driver's license file will be handed over to the selected MPU office. The authority usually sends specific questions that are to be answered by the MPU office – for example: "Is it to be expected that Mr. Mustermann will again drive a motor vehicle on the road under the influence of alcohol?"
As soon as the person concerned has completed the preparations – such as an ordered proof of abstinence – and the costs for the MPU have been paid, an appointment for the MPU is made so that the medical-psychological report can be obtained.
What are the rules for cannabis?
Anyone who smokes weed and drives risks losing their driver's license – despite the partial legalization of cannabis. Similar to the blood alcohol limit, a limit of 3.5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood applies. As with alcohol, an MPU is usually only ordered if there are signs of cannabis abuse or repeated violations in road traffic under the influence of cannabis. A single consumption, on the other hand, should not lead to the withdrawal of a driver's license or an MPU. However, stricter rules apply during the driving licence probationary period and mixed consumption with alcohol.
How does an MPU work? A step-by-step explanation
A medical-psychological report consists of four parts: a written interview, a medical check, a performance test on the computer and a psychological interview.
1. Written survey
On the day of the examination, you will receive various questionnaires on your personal circumstances, health aspects and the reason for the examination, which you must fill out. The questionnaires are later submitted to the traffic psychologist.
2. Medical examination
This is followed by a medical examination including a discussion about the reasons for the MPU, with a focus on medical aspects. It is examined whether physical reasons speak against participation in road traffic.
If alcohol driving was the reason for the ordered examination, blood is usually taken during the medical examination. Elevated liver values provide information about whether the affected person regularly consumes alcohol. Anyone who has to take the MPU because of drug use must give a urine sample. There is also a coordination test, such as standing on one leg or walking in a straight line. If ordered, proof of abstinence must also be presented at this point.
3. Performance test
This part of the MPU is all about the ability to react, react quickly, concentrate and resilience of the person concerned. Here, too, it is checked whether the person concerned is physically capable of driving a vehicle. For this purpose, a standardized procedure takes place on the computer under supervision.
4. Psychological examination
At the end, there is a one-hour conversation with a psychologist. The main focus is on the reasons for the traffic anomaly, the ability of the person concerned to understand and how his behaviour has changed in the meantime.
The interview is divided into two parts: The first part deals with general questions about the person and the curriculum vitae, the second part follows event-related questions. You should have concrete answers to all questions and show that you have reflected on your behavior and fundamentally changed it in relation to alcohol or drugs.
Can you get your driver's license back without an MPU?
You can avoid an MPU – but you have to do without your driver's license for 15 years and must not violate traffic law during this time. After 15 years, the file entry that led to the order of the MPU will be deleted and you can reapply for your driver's license – without taking the MPU. However, it is then necessary to visit the driving school again.
MPU questions: What questions can you expect?
During the psychological examination, the expert tries to determine whether the person concerned has reflected on his or her behavior and has already initiated changes. Typical questions that are asked in the psychological part of the MPU include:
- Why did you behave like that at the time of the crime?
- For what reason will you no longer behave like this?
- How do you ensure that there is no relapse?
A medical-psychological report is always about the individual case, which is why there is no complete list of all questions that can be downloaded. It's also not about presenting perfectly memorized answers – what matters is a profound examination of one's own misconduct.
If this discussion does not take place and the psychologist is only presented with phrases learned by heart in a template-like manner, the report can be negative – despite supposedly exemplary answers. Justifications or trivializations of one's own misconduct are also unwise at this point.
You should also avoid discussing the purpose of the investigation or making accusations against the police and the judiciary – this will have a negative effect on the outcome of the investigation.
Tip: If your German language skills are not sufficient, you can ask for an interpreter before the appointment.
MPU duration: How long does the examination take?
An MPU takes about three hours, including waiting time. Registration is usually done quickly, and you have about 30 minutes to fill out the questionnaires.
The subsequent medical check also takes about half an hour, the performance test takes about 20 minutes. The longest is the psychological interview, which lasts about an hour.
| Registration | approx. 10 minutes |
| Questionnaires | approx. 30 minutes |
| Medical check | approx. 30 minutes |
| Achievement test | approx. 20 minutes |
| Psychological interview | approx. 60 minutes |
| Total time of the MPU | approx. 150 minutes = 2.5 hours |
Longer waiting times cannot always be avoided with an MPU. You should therefore be sure to arrive on time for the appointment and be prepared for waiting times.
Preparation for the medical-psychological report
It is not mandatory to attend an MPU preparation course, and theoretically it is possible to pass an MPU without preparation. However, this approach is not advisable.
The failure rate for medical-psychological assessments is high: According to the BASt, it has been around 40 percent in recent years. Those who do not prepare thoroughly run the risk of failing – and the money saved during the preparatory course must then be invested in a second MPU attempt.
In preparatory courses, traffic psychologists explain in group or individual sessions what questions you will face at the MPU, what meaningful answers could look like and where typical pitfalls lurk. There is also a discussion about where exactly the problems of the affected person lie and whether, for example, addiction therapy makes sense after driving under the influence of alcohol.
Both variants have advantages:
- In individual sessions, you can work through your personal case and deal intensively with your problem.
- Group sessions offer you the opportunity to exchange ideas with other affected people.
Individual sessions start at around 100 euros per hour, group sessions are usually cheaper. Complete packages are often offered, which include a certain number of sessions, proof of abstinence and a trial MPU. Some providers also offer online preparation courses.
However, one or two sessions are usually not enough. It is advisable to prepare intensively for several weeks or even months for the medical-psychological report. This is the only way to thoroughly work through personal problems and address them in a targeted manner. This takes time – so you should start preparing as early as possible.
How do I recognize reputable MPU preparation courses?
Reputable providers of MPU preparation courses – such as Dekra or TÜV Nord – will explain the scope of services and costs in a non-binding preliminary talk. The courses are led by trained traffic psychologists. Flexible payment methods such as installment payments are possible. All details on scope, duration, costs and termination will be contractually recorded. If a provider promises guarantees of success or a "money-back guarantee", you should be skeptical.
Proof of abstinence for the medical-psychological report
In the case of both alcohol and drug violations, proof of abstinence is usually required. This is usually not the case with an overdrawn points account. The proof of abstinence is intended to prove that the person concerned can permanently do without intoxicants.
If proof of abstinence has been ordered due to alcohol or drug consumption at the wheel, you usually have to live abstinent for twelve months before you can take the MPU. In this case, a controlled consumption of intoxicants is not an option. During this time, at least six spontaneous checks will be carried out by the chosen institute. In addition to MPU offices, independent laboratories and institutes can also issue valid abstinence certificates, provided they meet the prescribed conditions of the examination.
Abstinence is determined either by a urine test or a hair analysis. Hair analysis is usually more expensive and only possible if your hair is neither dyed nor bleached.
Important: The ordered proof of abstinence must be completed before registration for the MPU. If the proof is available, you must complete the MPU within two months – otherwise the proof of abstinence will lose its validity.
If no proof of abstinence is ordered, you can decide to do so voluntarily. This can increase your chances of passing the medical-psychological examination. In this case, four spontaneous check-ups are usually carried out within six months. As an alternative to abstinence, you can also consider "controlled drinking" or "controlled consumption". Controlled means: generally low consumption, which is only exceeded on rare occasions.
With "controlled consumption" or "controlled drinking" you can demonstrate that you have dealt with your consumption and are able to regulate it permanently - which may be more credible than complete abstinence. Because even if you voluntarily abstain from alcohol or cannabis, the traffic psychologist will check exactly how serious you are about this resolution.
Costs for the medical-psychological report
As a person affected, you must always bear the costs for the MPU yourself. The amount of the total costs varies depending on the reason for the assessment, with proof of abstinence ordered if necessary and the selected assessment centre. It is therefore worthwhile to compare the prices of different providers.
If alcohol or drugs are the cause of the MPU, the examination is usually more expensive than if it is ordered because of a points violation:
| Occasion of the MPU | Cost |
|---|---|
| Achieving eight points | approx. 400 Euro |
| Drinking and driving | approx. 450 Euro |
| Drugs at the wheel | approx. 600 Euro |
In addition to the MPU, there are other costs for preparatory courses, the reissue of the driving licence and, if applicable, for proof of abstinence. If you are classified as "conditionally suitable" in the medical-psychological report, you will also have to undergo follow-up training in accordance with § 70 FeV Driving Licence Ordinance.
| Preparation | from 100 euros per hour |
| Proof of abstinence | 300 to 600 euros, depending on the scope |
| Applying for a new driver's license | approx. 250 Euro |
| Follow-up training according to § 70 FeV | approx. 400 Euro |
Example 1: Too many points in Flensburg
Those who have to take the MPU because of achieving eight points can expect costs of around 1,250 euros: 400 euros for the MPU + 600 euros for the preparatory course + 250 euros for the application for the new driver's license. Proof of abstinence is usually not required here.
Example 2: Drunk driving
If a medical-psychological report has been requested for drink-driving, the total costs are between 1,800 and 2,300 euros: 450 euros for the MPU + 800 to 1,000 euros for a preparatory course + 300 to 600 euros for proof of abstinence + 250 euros for applying for the new driving licence.
Example 3: Drug use
If drugs are the reason for the MPU, the total costs are usually around 2,650 euros: 600 euros for the MPU + 1,300 euros for a preparatory course + 500 euros for proof of abstinence + 250 euros for the driver's license application.
MPU result: What happens after the examination?
Once you have completed the MPU, you will receive the result in two to five weeks. Before doing so, you should definitely make sure at your assessment office that the report is only sent to you - and under no circumstances directly to the driver's license office!
Wie es danach weitergeht, hängt entscheidend vom Ergebnis des medizinisch-psychologisches Gutachtens ab:
- Positive review: If the report is positive, you can apply to the authority for a new driver's license. Then you will usually get your driver's license back or it will not be confiscated at all.
- Negative review: If, on the other hand, the medical-psychological report is negative, you should not pass it on to the driver's license office under any circumstances - otherwise there is a risk of a negative entry in the driving fitness register. In this case, you will have to take the MPU again.
There is also the possibility that your medical-psychological report will be neither positive nor negative, but that you will be certified as having a "conditional suitability". In this case, you will be recommended to take part in a traffic psychology follow-up training course in accordance with § 70 FeV. This can be the case, for example, if you already show the right approaches, but the behavioral changes have not yet solidified permanently. You will receive your driver's license back after completing the follow-up training – you do not have to take the MPU again.
What happens to the points after the MPU?
After passing the MPU, you will not get your old driver's license back, but a new one. This means that you start with a completely new points account in Flensburg - so your "old" points do not remain in the driving fitness register.
Failed the MPU: What you should do now
As annoying as it is to fail the MPU, the good news is that you can repeat the MPU and still have the chance to get your driver's license back.
In the event of a negative medical-psychological report, you should not forward it to the driving licence office and, if necessary, withdraw your application for the reinstatement of your driving licence. After an application for a new driver's license, the authority usually sets a deadline of several months by which you must submit the positive MPU report. You can resubmit the application at any time – but only if the deficits identified in the report have been eliminated and you have a chance of receiving a positive report.
Even if you still have your driver's license and you are threatened with revocation if you do not submit the medical-psychological report on time, you should not submit a negative MPU report to the driver's license authority. In this case, your driving licence may be revoked, but you can apply for a new licence at any time as soon as you can show a positive report.
If you have failed the MPU, you should first read the medical-psychological report carefully. It not only lists the reasons for the negative result, but also gives clear recommendations and instructions for action. Try to implement them and prepare yourself intensively again, for example with another MPU preparation course. This time you have the advantage that, unlike the first attempt, you know exactly what to expect.
Theoretically, you can make a new appointment for the MPU immediately. There is no embargo period after a negative medical-psychological report. However, it is advisable not to take the exam again immediately - because there are apparently reasons why you did not pass the MPU. Since the driver's license offices do not set a deadline within which the positive result must be presented, you should definitely take enough time to prepare. Not least because every MPU involves high costs and a considerable amount of time.
MPU statute of limitations: All deadlines at a glance
MPU deadline: If your driver's license has been revoked and an MPU has been ordered, there is usually no deadline by which you have to submit the report to the driver's license office – as long as you have not yet applied for a new driver's license. Only with the re-application of the driving licence does the authority set a period of several months within which the medical-psychological report must be submitted. If you exceed this, you may not get your driver's license back - even though you have passed the MPU. If you are unable to complete the MPU within the set deadline, you can apply for a justified extension of the deadline or withdraw your application and resubmit it later.
Gültigkeit des Abstinenznachweises: Ein angeordneter Abstinenznachweis muss grundsätzlich immer vor der MPU vorliegen – nur so hast Du eine Chance, die MPU zu bestehen. Sobald der Abstinenznachweis vorliegt, hast Du zwei Monate Zeit, um die MPU zu absolvieren; danach ist der Abstinenznachweis nicht mehr gültig.
MPU-Verjährung: Die MPU an sich verjährt nicht. Dennoch kann es zu einer Art Verjährung kommen: Wenn Du Dir in den folgenden fünf Jahren im Straßenverkehr nichts zuschulden kommen lässt, startet im sechsten Jahr die Verjährung Deiner Zuwiderhandlung im Straßenverkehr, die zehn Jahre dauert. Das bedeutet: Nach spätestens 15 Jahren wird der Eintrag, der zum Führerscheinentzug und zur Anordnung der MPU führte, aus der Akte gelöscht. Danach kannst Du Deinen Führerschein neu beantragen – ohne eine MPU machen zu müssen. Allerdings ist dann der Besuch einer Fahrschule, inklusive theoretischer und praktischer Fahrprüfung, erforderlich.
Mythen und Irrtümer über das medizinisch-psychologische Gutachten
Um die umgangssprachlich als „Idiotentest“ bezeichnete medizinisch-psychologische Untersuchung ranken sich zahlreiche Mythen. Hier gehen wir den gängigsten Vorurteilen auf den Grund.
Mythos 1: „Beim ersten Mal fällt jeder durch“
Viele glauben, dass man die MPU beim ersten Versuch grundsätzlich nicht bestehen kann. Das ist allerdings nicht korrekt: Aus der jährlichen Studie der Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (BASt) geht hervor, dass 2023 rund 60 Prozent die MPU beim ersten Mal bestanden haben – die Durchfallquote beträgt demnach „nur“ etwa 40 Prozent.
Mythos 2: „Jedes Detail in der MPU wird sofort negativ bewertet“
Uncertainty and nervousness before an upcoming MPU are normal. In many cases, this is also due to the fact that those affected assume that experts are extremely strict and interpret every statement and the smallest uncertainties negatively. However, those affected do not have to have this fear: The psychological interview is not a knowledge test in which there are only right or wrong answers. If you are unsure because of your high nervousness, this is by no means an exclusion criterion. Rather, the assessor tries to find out whether you have honestly dealt with your misconduct and, if necessary, initiated behavioral changes.
Myth 3: "The experts decide arbitrarily"
Those who fail the MPU do not always blame themselves. For example, the misconception persists that experts decide according to sympathy and that their decisions are even arbitrary. However, experts are specially trained and regularly inspected by the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt). Theoretically, it is of course possible for an expert to act arbitrarily – but those affected are not defenceless against this: they can appeal against the medical-psychological report.
Myth 4: "An MPU is a money-making"
Some people perceive the MPU as pure bullying and even suspect that it is a measure to improve the state treasury. However, MPUs are not carried out by state institutions, but by officially recognised testing centres. The costs for the MPU therefore do not flow into the state treasury, but into private companies. An MPU is also only ordered if a person has attracted attention through massive misconduct. In this case, the withdrawal of the driver's license serves to avert danger. With the MPU, the person is given the chance to prove their fitness to drive and get their driver's license back.
Myth 5: "You can pass the MPU without preparation"
Anyone who believes that they can pass an MPU spontaneously may not take it seriously enough. Although it is generally possible to pass an MPU unprepared, the annual failure rate of around 40 percent shows that the examination is not easy to pass. In order to pass an MPU, a profound examination of one's own misconduct is necessary, and if necessary, behavioral changes must also be brought about. This not only takes a lot of time, but in many cases also requires professional support. As a rule, reputable preparation courses can increase the chances of success.
Myth 6: "A positive report guarantees the return of the driver's license"
Ein positives medizinisch-psychologisches Gutachten ist eine Voraussetzung dafür, den Führerschein wiederzuerlangen – eine Garantie ist es aber nicht. Unter bestimmten Umständen wird die Fahrerlaubnis trotz bestandener MPU verweigert. Das kann zum Beispiel der Fall sein, wenn man sich nach dem Führerscheinentzug mit der MPU sehr lange Zeit gelassen hat – das heißt mehr als zwei Jahre. Dann kann die Behörde den erneuten Besuch einer Fahrschule zur Bedingung machen. Auch wenn innerhalb der auferlegten Sperrfrist weitere Vergehen im Straßenverkehr begangen wurden – zum Beispiel Fahren ohne Führerschein – wird der Führerschein trotz bestandener MPU nicht einfach ausgestellt.
Myth 7: "After the MPU you are back in the probationary period"
Anyone who was no longer in the probationary period at the time of the withdrawal of the driving licence will not be imposed a new probationary period even after the MPU. In principle, the driving licence probationary period only has to be completed once. However, if you lost your driver's license during your probationary period, you must make up for the remaining time of your probationary period after the blocking period or after successfully completing the MPU.
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