There are many myths about the „idiot test“ (Idiotentest), and most of them are false or dangerous. The MPU does not test intelligence, nor can it be bought or avoided with an EU driving licence. What matters is whether you have understood your offence and changed your behaviour in a stable way that can be documented.
Why is the MPU called the „idiot test“ at all?
„Idiot test“ is just a colloquial name for the MPU (medical-psychological assessment, Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung). The MPU has nothing to do with intelligence.
The MPU is an expert report (Gutachten) on fitness to drive. It clarifies whether someone can take part in road traffic safely again after an offence. It is ordered by the driving licence authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) and prepared by an officially recognised assessment centre (Begutachtungsstelle für Fahreignung, BfF), for example TÜV, DEKRA, pima-mpu, AVUS or ias. The page What is an MPU? explains exactly what is behind it.
Which myths are most widespread?
The most widespread myths concern passing, preparation and supposed shortcuts. The table sets each myth against the facts.
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| „Only stupid people fail.“ | The MPU does not test intelligence. It is about insight into the problem, change in behaviour and stability. According to widely cited figures, only about a third pass without preparation. |
| „You don't need to prepare, just being honest is enough.“ | Honesty is a must, but on its own it is not enough. You have to explain the causes and show a documented change, often including proof of abstinence (Abstinenznachweis) over 6 or 12 months. |
| „A negative expert report automatically goes to the authority.“ | Submitting it is voluntary. You do not have to submit a negative expert report; the authority does not learn about it. |
| „With an EU driving licence you can avoid the MPU.“ | The residence principle applies (at least 185 days/year in the issuing country). Sham residence packages lead to the criminal offence of driving without a licence in Germany. |
| „You can buy a pass.“ | The BfF prepares the expert report independently. Bought or backdated proof is forgery of documents (Urkundenfälschung). |
| „The performance test decides everything.“ | The psychological interview is the most important part. The performance test is easy to practise, and a weak test result alone rarely leads to failure. |
| „With the right model answers, it will work.“ | Rehearsed language comes across as implausible and is one of the most common reasons for failing. |
| „If you fail once, you have to wait a long time.“ | There is no fixed waiting period between two attempts. However, a new attempt only makes sense after genuine reflection. |
Myth: Only stupid people fail
The myth that only stupid people fail is false, because the MPU is not an intelligence test. What is assessed is whether you can prove a credible, stable change in behaviour.
The basis is the assessment criteria (Beurteilungskriterien, 5th edition, 2026). They assign each case to a hypothesis group, for example A1 to A4 for alcohol or V1 to V3 for traffic offences. This determines what has to be proven. Those who fail usually do so because of a lack of insight, contradictions or abstinence started too late, not a lack of intelligence.
Myth: You don't need to prepare
The myth that you don't need to prepare is persistent, but risky. Preparation is the biggest lever for a positive expert report.
In the interview, the assessor asks, for example, what the real cause was and how other people notice the change. If you have never thought about this, you often answer with empty phrases such as „I have learned from it“. That is not enough if you cannot explain why it happened in the first place. Then there is the time factor: a required abstinence period of 6 or 12 months must be completed before the MPU. More on this on the page on MPU preparation.
Myth: The negative expert report goes to the authority
A negative expert report does not automatically go to the authority. You decide yourself whether to submit an expert report.
Only the assessment centre and you know the result. You submit a positive expert report so that the driving licence can be issued. But note: if you still have a driving licence and the authority has set a deadline for proof of fitness to drive, your licence may still be withdrawn without that proof.
Myth: The EU driving licence avoids the MPU
An EU driving licence does not avoid the MPU if the requirements are not met. It is only recognised if you had your normal residence in the issuing country.
Courts treat „package deals“ with a sham residence as a fictitious residence. In addition, no valid driving licence may be obtained abroad during a German ban period (Sperrfrist). The consequence is driving without a licence, which is a criminal offence. The MPU can only legitimately be avoided if the order can be challenged or deletion periods have expired. A specialist lawyer for traffic law (Fachanwalt für Verkehrsrecht) can check this.
Myth: You can buy a pass
You cannot buy a pass. Counselling and assessment are strictly separate, and the assessment centre evaluates independently.
Offers with a guarantee of passing are not reputable. Even more dangerous are „ready-made“ proofs of abstinence or clean results for money: that is forgery of documents. Valid proof only comes from laboratories accredited to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, with unannounced appointments and complete documentation. The guide How to recognise reputable MPU preparation shows what to look for in providers.
Myth: The performance test decides everything
The performance test does not decide everything; the most important part is the psychological interview. The test takes about 30–40 minutes and checks reaction, concentration, perception and ability to cope with pressure.
The result is assessed as a percentile rank against a reference sample. The test can be practised well with free simulators. If the result is weak, a practical driving test is often possible to compensate.
Myth: After failing you have to wait a long time
After a negative expert report, there is no fixed waiting time until the next attempt. Nevertheless, a quick second attempt without reflection rarely makes sense.
Only an analysis of the causes shows what was missing the first time. Sometimes the expert report also recommends a follow-up course: a course under § 70 FeV (Driving Licence Regulation, Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung) can turn a borderline result into „fit to drive“. More on this on the page Failed the MPU.
What you can do now
- Read your authority's order and request file inspection (Akteneinsicht) so that you know the reason and the question.
- Clarify early whether you need proof of abstinence, and start it immediately if necessary.
- Avoid offers with a guarantee of passing, model answers or EU driving licence packages.
- Have legal questions about the order or deletion periods checked by a specialist lawyer for traffic law.
- If you want to prepare in a structured way: find suitable preparation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the „idiot test“ take?
The MPU takes about 3–4 hours in total. It consists of a questionnaire, a medical examination, a performance test and a psychological interview. The interview alone takes 45–60 minutes.
Will my points be deleted after the MPU?
Yes, if the MPU was ordered because of points (Punkte) and you pass it. Your balance in the driving aptitude register (Fahreignungsregister) in Flensburg is then reset to 0.
Can I state that I drank a smaller amount than I did?
This is strongly advised against. The assessor calculates the amount drunk from the blood alcohol concentration and the lab values. Contradictions stand out immediately and are a common reason for failing.
Is there also an MPU without alcohol or drugs?
Yes, for example with 8 points in Flensburg, for criminal offences with a high potential for aggression or if there are health-related doubts about fitness to drive. What counts is always the authority's order.
