How much does a proof of abstinence cost? Urine and hair compared

What do the costs of a proof of abstinence depend on?

The costs depend mainly on three factors: the duration of the proof (6 or 12 months), the method (urine, hair or PEth) and the provider. Since 2018, every assessment centre (Begutachtungsstelle für Fahreignung) has set its own prices, and laboratories and programmes also differ. All figures in this article are therefore guide values, not fixed prices.

Which duration you need depends on the reason for the MPU and your history. 12 months are common, and in the case of dependence usually at least 12 months. The page Proof of abstinence explains the basics of the methods and requirements.

How much does a single test cost?

According to 2026 guide values, a single test costs different amounts depending on the method:

We deliberately do not give a price for PEth, because we do not have a reliable range for it. Ask the laboratory or your programme specifically about the costs before you start.

How much do 6 and 12 months cost in total?

The total cost is the number of tests multiplied by the price per test. The following table is a sample calculation using the guide values above, not a provider's price list:

Overall, a proof of abstinence is therefore in the range of about 200 to 900 euros. How exactly your provider charges differs. So always ask for the total price for the complete programme.

Urine or hair: which is cheaper?

Per test, urine is cheaper; in the overall calculation, both methods are often in a similar range depending on the duration. More important than the price is which method suits your case.

• Urine requires more appointments, which are unannounced. You are called in at short notice, usually with a sample to be given within about 24 hours, under supervision and with ID. This requires flexibility in everyday life.
• Hair requires fewer appointments, but assumes your hair is long enough. Dyed, bleached or tinted hair makes the EtG hair analysis unusable. Then urine or PEth remain as options.
• PEth is increasingly used and has been recognised since the 4th edition of the assessment criteria (Beurteilungskriterien, 2022). Check in advance whether your programme offers and recognises PEth.

You can read more about hair length and dyeing in the guide Hair analysis for the MPU.

Which hidden costs should you plan for?

The highest costs do not come from the price per test, but from a programme that has to start again. A positive result or a missed appointment usually invalidates the current programme, and the abstinence clock starts again. In the worst case, you then pay for large parts twice.

Typical cost traps are:

1. Unrecognised laboratory: the laboratory must be accredited under DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, and the assessment centre must recognise the programme. Otherwise, the proof is worthless.
2. Missed appointment: with urine, every call-in counts. If you cannot be reached, you risk having to start again.
3. Dyed hair: a hair analysis you have paid for can become unusable.
4. Alcohol in food or mouthwash: this can also trigger a positive EtG result. If in doubt, avoid it.
5. Starting too late: not a direct cost item, but every month of delay pushes back the MPU date.

Stay away from "ready-made" proofs, clean results for money or backdated programmes. That is forgery of documents (Urkundenfälschung), not a way to save money.

How does the proof of abstinence fit into the total MPU costs?

For alcohol and drug MPUs, the proof of abstinence is one of the big cost blocks. Realistically, the total cost of an MPU is about 1,500 to 4,000 euros, depending mainly on the abstinence period and preparation. On top of this come the fee for the expert report (Gutachten), approx. 550 to 750 euros for alcohol or drugs, and the fee for the reissue of the licence (Neuerteilung) of approx. 140 to 260 euros (2026 guide values).

You can find a complete breakdown with sample calculations on the page MPU costs. The guide MPU without proof of abstinence clarifies whether you need a proof of abstinence at all.

When do the costs arise in your timetable?

The costs of the proof of abstinence arise before the MPU, because the evidence period must be completed before you go to the assessment. With 12 months, the tests are therefore spread over a whole year before the fee for the expert report is even due.

For your planning, this means:

1. Start the programme immediately after file inspection (Akteneinsicht), because the evidence period determines the earliest MPU date.
2. Plan your preparation in parallel: traffic therapy (Verkehrstherapie) typically involves 10 to 12 sessions over 2 to 3 months. Guide values for preparation and counselling (Beratung) range from 50 to 2,000 euros.
3. Apply for the reissue early, about 3 months before the ban period (Sperrfrist) ends, so that the application and the MPU fit together in time.

This way, you avoid a completed proof lying unused, or the MPU having to be postponed because one month is missing.

What you can do now

1. Inspect your file and clarify whether 6 or 12 months and which substances are required.
2. Get two to three quotes and ask for the total price for the complete programme.
3. Check the accreditation (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025) and ask the assessment centre whether it recognises the programme.
4. Start immediately and see it through without gaps, so that no section you have paid for is lost.
5. Plan your preparation in parallel: find suitable preparation.