In short
You need an MPU if the driving licence authority has doubts about your fitness to drive and orders one. Typical reasons are drink-driving from 1.6‰, repeated alcohol or cannabis offences, use of hard drugs, 8 points in Flensburg, offences involving aggression or certain illnesses. The authority's written order is always what counts.
Who decides whether I need an MPU?
Whether you need an MPU (medical-psychological assessment, Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung) is decided by the driving licence authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde / Führerscheinstelle), not by the court and not by the police. The authority examines whether certain facts give rise to doubts about your fitness to drive and then orders an expert report (Gutachten).
The legal basis is mainly § 13 FeV (alcohol), § 13a FeV (cannabis), § 14 FeV (other drugs and medicines), § 11 FeV (general fitness) and § 4 StVG (points). FeV stands for the Driving Licence Regulation (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung), StVG for the Road Traffic Act (Straßenverkehrsgesetz). The authority decides on a case-by-case basis, i.e. not only according to a single figure, but also according to the type and frequency of the incidents. The following self-check (Selbstcheck) gives you an initial orientation.
Self-check: do I need an MPU?
Two or three clicks – a first assessment. Your answers never leave your browser.
Guidance, not legal advice. The order from your driving licence authority is always what counts.
For which reasons may an MPU be ordered?
An MPU may be ordered above all for alcohol from 1.6‰, repeated incidents, drugs, 8 points and offences involving aggression. The table shows the typical situations under the current legal position and authority practice (as of 2026).
| Reason | MPU? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Drink-driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAK) of 1.6‰ or more | yes | clearest case under § 13 FeV |
| Drink-driving from 1.1‰ without signs of impairment | possible | absence of impairment is considered an indication of alcohol tolerance (case law of the Federal Administrative Court, BVerwG) |
| Repeated drink-driving | yes | even if each individual incident was below 1.6‰ |
| One-off drink-driving below 1.1‰ (or with clear signs of impairment) without further indications | usually no | a fine, driving ban or revocation are still possible |
| Cannabis, 1st drive above 3.5 ng/ml THC | usually no | except where there are additional facts, e.g. above 11 ng/ml THC, THC-COOH above 150 ng/ml, mixed use |
| Cannabis, 2nd drive above 3.5 ng/ml THC | yes, as a rule | authority practice on "repeated" offences under § 13a FeV |
| Hard drugs (cocaine, amphetamine, opiates …) | yes | even one-off use can be enough, even without driving (§ 14 FeV) |
| 8 points in the driving aptitude register | yes | revocation, reissue of the licence usually only with an MPU |
| Criminal offences, high potential for aggression | possible | e.g. hit-and-run, coercion, illegal racing, bodily harm |
| Bicycle with 1.6‰ or more | yes | affects your car driving licence |
| E-scooter under the influence of alcohol | as with a car | an e-scooter counts as a motor vehicle |
| Illness or long-term medication | possible | e.g. epilepsy, diabetes, eyesight, usually a specialist medical report first |
| Offences during the probationary period | no | the consequence is the remedial course (ASF), not an MPU |
Alcohol: why even 1.1‰ can be enough
An alcohol MPU is possible from as little as 1.1‰ if you showed no typical signs of alcohol impairment despite this level. The Federal Administrative Court (Bundesverwaltungsgericht) sees this as an additional fact indicating high tolerance, i.e. strong habituation. This case law was confirmed again in 2026. You can find out more under MPU because of alcohol.
Cannabis: the "second drive" is not a statutory rule
For cannabis, § 13a FeV refers to "repeated" offences, but gives no fixed number. The fact that an MPU is usually only ordered from the 2nd drive above the limit of 3.5 ng/ml is common authority practice. Where there are additional facts or signs of dependence, even the first drive can be enough. Details are under MPU because of cannabis.
Bicycle and e-scooter
Drunk cycling on a bicycle from 1.6‰ is a criminal offence and leads to an MPU order. If you do not take the MPU or do not pass it, you lose your driving licence for motor vehicles, even though you were only cycling. The e-scooter counts as a motor vehicle, so the same limits apply as for a car. More under MPU after cycling or riding an e-scooter.
Is the remedial course during the probationary period an MPU?
The remedial course for new drivers (Aufbauseminar für Fahranfänger, ASF) is not an MPU. It is ordered after one A offence or two B offences during the probationary period (Probezeit), comprises 4 sessions of 135 minutes each and extends the probationary period by 2 years.
Even as a new driver, you only get an MPU for the genuine reasons, such as alcohol, drugs or serious criminal offences. For new drivers and people under 21, the 0.0‰ limit (0,0-‰-Grenze) applies to alcohol.
Can an old incident still lead to an MPU?
An old incident can lead to an MPU for as long as it is recorded in the driving aptitude register (Fahreignungsregister, "Flensburg") and can therefore be used. Once it has been deleted, it may no longer be taken into account when assessing your fitness.
The deletion periods (Tilgungsfristen) under § 29 StVG are graded according to severity:
| Entry | Deletion period |
|---|---|
| Administrative offence with 1 point | 2.5 years |
| Administrative offence with 2 points, criminal offence without revocation | 5 years |
| Criminal offence with revocation or ban (e.g. alcohol and drug driving) | 10 years |
The period begins when the decision becomes final (Rechtskraft). Once the deletion date has been reached, there is a further 1-year transition period (Überliegefrist), after which the entry is deleted. Since 1 May 2014 (01.05.2014) there has no longer been any suspension of deletion, so new offences do not extend the period for old entries.
That is why the timing of your application can determine whether an MPU is needed at all. You should have this checked individually by a lawyer specialising in traffic law (Fachanwalt für Verkehrsrecht). You can find more on all time limits under MPU time limits.
Why is the order so important?
The authority's written order (Anordnung) is binding, because it sets out the reason for and the question of your MPU. The expert report answers exactly this question, no more and no less.
So before any preparation, request file inspection (Akteneinsicht). This is the only way to know all the facts held against you and whether, for example, a proof of abstinence (Abstinenznachweis) over 6 or 12 months is required. If you still have your driving licence, the authority usually sets a deadline; if it passes without an expert report, your licence may be revoked.
Not every order is lawful. A lawyer specialising in traffic law can check whether the order can be challenged, whether the deadlines are correct and whether all the facts can still be used.
Note: An EU driving licence obtained with a sham residence is not a legal way around the MPU and can be a criminal offence as driving without a licence.
What happens next?
First apply for file inspection and read the order carefully so that you know your reason and the question to be answered. If a proof of abstinence is likely, start early, because it usually determines your timetable. Through MPU Plus you can find suitable counselling, and What is an MPU? gives an overview of the procedure.
Frequently asked questions
From what blood alcohol level do I have to take an MPU?
An MPU is ordered for drink-driving from 1.6‰. It is possible from as little as 1.1‰ if you showed no signs of impairment. For repeated drink-driving, it may also be ordered below these levels.
Will I get an MPU the first time I smoke cannabis and drive?
Usually not; the MPU is mostly only ordered from the second drive above 3.5 ng/ml THC. However, where there are additional facts such as more than 11 ng/ml THC, mixed use or signs of dependence, it can be ordered the first time.
Can I get an MPU because of cocaine even though I was not driving?
Yes, with hard drugs even one-off use can rule out fitness to drive, even without driving. Getting your licence back then usually requires a proof of abstinence and an MPU.
When does an MPU requirement expire?
An MPU requirement does not expire in the classic sense, but entries in the driving aptitude register are deleted after set periods. For criminal offences with revocation, the deletion period is 10 years plus a 1-year transition period. After that, the entry may no longer be used.
Do I have to take an MPU during my probationary period?
No, offences during the probationary period usually lead to the remedial course for new drivers. Even for new drivers, an MPU is only ordered for the genuine reasons such as alcohol or drugs.