You are free to choose the assessment centre (Begutachtungsstelle für Fahreignung, BfF) for your MPU (medical-psychological assessment, Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung), as long as it is officially recognised. These include TÜV, DEKRA, pima-mpu, AVUS and ias. Since 2018, each centre has set its own prices, so it is worth comparing them on price, appointment and location.
Can I choose the assessment centre myself?
Yes, the choice of assessment centre is up to you. The only requirement is that it is an officially recognised assessment centre for fitness to drive (BfF).
The MPU is ordered by the driving licence authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde, Führerscheinstelle), but the expert report (Gutachten) is prepared by the BfF. For this purpose, the authority formulates a specific question that is tied to the reason for the MPU. It is exactly this question that the expert report answers, regardless of which centre you go to. How the order comes about is explained on the page Do I need an MPU?.
Which assessment centres are there?
Officially recognised assessment centres include TÜV, DEKRA, pima-mpu, AVUS and ias. They all work to the same professional standard.
This standard consists of the BASt guidelines for assessing fitness to drive (Begutachtungsleitlinien zur Kraftfahreignung) and the assessment criteria (Beurteilungskriterien) of the DGVP/DGVM, currently in the 5th edition of 2026. They determine which hypothesis applies to your case and what has to be proven for the expert report to conclude „fit to drive“ (geeignet). The classification follows from your file, not from your choice of centre.
The procedure is also structured in the same way at all recognised centres: every MPU consists of a medical examination, a performance and reaction test and the psychological interview, plus a written questionnaire. The psychological interview takes about 45–60 minutes and is the most important part. There, the traffic psychologist checks whether you have understood the causes of your offence and can show a stable, documented change.
Rumours about „easy“ or „strict“ centres will not help you. The basis for assessment is the same for all recognised centres, and what matters is whether your change is credible and documented.
Why do prices differ?
Prices differ because, since 2018, each assessment centre has set its own fees. That is why there are price ranges for the same question rather than a single standard price.
As a guide for 2026, these are the reference values for the expert report fee alone:
| Question | Reference expert report fee 2026 |
|---|---|
| Alcohol or drugs | approx. €550–750 |
| Points | approx. €400–650 |
| Criminal offences | approx. €500–700 |
| Combined question (e.g. alcohol + drugs) | approx. €650–900 |
Depending on the case, there are further costs, for example for proof of abstinence (Abstinenznachweis), preparation and the reissue of the licence (Wiedererteilung) by the authority (approx. €140–260). You can find the full overview on the page on MPU costs. When registering, always ask for the total price for your specific question.
What should you look out for when choosing?
When choosing, practical criteria matter most: the price for your question, a suitable appointment and good accessibility. You should not, however, expect differences in the quality of the outcome, because all centres assess according to the same criteria.
Price
Compare the fee for exactly your question. A combined question usually costs more than a simple one. Check whether additional services such as lab tests are already included.
Appointment
The appointment should fit your timetable. For a reissue of the licence (Neuerteilung), it is best to submit the application about 3 months before the end of the ban period (Sperrfrist), because processing and the MPU take time. If proof of abstinence is required, the period of 6 or 12 months must be completed before the appointment. If you still have a driving licence, there is often an official deadline for proof of fitness to drive.
Accessibility
The assessment takes approx. 3–4 hours. Plan your journey so that you arrive well rested and on time. Remember that you may not drive there yourself if your licence has been withdrawn.
Recognition of your evidence
Ask in advance whether the centre recognises your abstinence programme. The laboratory must be accredited to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, and the programme must follow the CTU criteria. Ideally, clarify this before you start the programme.
How does registration work step by step?
Registration takes just a few steps, starting with the order from the authority. It is important that you follow the order of the steps and do not rush anything.
- Read the order: check the reason and the authority's question in the order.
- Inspect your file: only file inspection (Akteneinsicht) tells you all the facts available to the assessor.
- Choose a centre: compare the price, appointment and location of several recognised BfF.
- Inform the authority: tell the driving licence authority which centre you have chosen so that the file is sent there. Your authority will tell you the exact formalities.
- Book the appointment: only once your preparation is complete and all evidence is available.
- Gather your documents: ID, original proof of abstinence, course or therapy certificates, specialist medical reports if applicable, and your glasses.
The page on the MPU procedure describes the assessment day itself.
What happens to the expert report after the assessment?
You receive the expert report from the assessment centre, and you decide yourself whether to submit it to the authority. Submitting it is voluntary.
You submit a positive expert report so that the driving licence can be issued. You do not have to submit a negative expert report; the authority then does not learn about it. A recommendation for a follow-up course is also possible: a course under § 70 FeV (Driving Licence Regulation, Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung) can turn a borderline result into „fit to drive“. An expert report has no statutory expiry date, but in practice authorities usually only accept it for about 1–3 years.
Can I change centre for a second attempt?
Yes, for your next attempt you again have a free choice among the recognised centres. However, changing centre does not change the basis for assessment.
More important than the centre is why the first attempt did not work. The guide MPU on the second attempt shows how to plan a second attempt sensibly.
What you can do now
- Read your authority's order carefully and note down the reason and the question.
- Get the price for your question from two to three recognised assessment centres.
- Before starting an abstinence programme, ask whether the chosen centre recognises it.
- Only book the appointment once your preparation and evidence period are complete.
- If you would like support with your preparation: find suitable preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to do the MPU where I live?
No, you can choose the assessment centre freely as long as it is officially recognised. In practice, there is a lot to be said for an easily accessible centre, because the assessment takes 3–4 hours and you should be on time and well rested.
Is the MPU more expensive at TÜV than at DEKRA or other centres?
This cannot be said in general. Since 2018, each centre has set its own prices, so you should compare them for your specific question. As a guide, an alcohol or drug expert report costs about €550–750 in 2026.
Will the authority find out if I have failed at a centre?
No, not from the assessment centre. Submitting the expert report is voluntary; you do not have to submit a negative one. The authority only knows about the expert report that is submitted.
Who decides which hypothesis applies to my case?
The classification follows from your file, for example from blood alcohol (‰) or THC levels and repeat offences. All recognised centres use the assessment criteria for this, currently in the 5th edition of 2026.
