Whether controlled drinking is enough for your alcohol MPU (medical-psychological assessment, Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung) or abstinence is necessary depends on how your case is classified under the assessment criteria (Beurteilungskriterien). Controlled drinking is only possible without a finding of dependence and with a stable, documented plan. In the case of dependence or advanced misuse, only abstinence is an option, usually proven over 12 months.
What is the difference between controlled drinking and abstinence?
Abstinence means going without alcohol completely, which is proven over 6 or 12 months with laboratory tests. Controlled drinking means that you continue to drink alcohol, but according to fixed rules you have set yourself – and that you have lived by this plan stably and documented it over a longer period.
One non-negotiable rule applies to both routes: always 0.0‰ at the wheel. So controlled drinking does not mean „a little before driving“, but a clear separation of drinking and driving. You can find more about the alcohol MPU as a whole on the page on the MPU for alcohol.
Who decides which route is an option?
Which route is an option follows from the classification of your case under a so-called hypothesis. This classification follows from your file – blood alcohol level, incidents, repeat offences – and not from what you would like. The basis is the assessment criteria for forming judgements in fitness-to-drive assessments (DGVP/DGVM), currently in the 5th edition of 2026.
This means: you cannot simply choose your route. If you choose controlled drinking even though your levels point to advanced misuse, this comes across as implausible. Your choice must match your file.
What do hypotheses A1 to A4 mean?
Hypotheses A1 to A4 describe four levels of an alcohol problem, from dependence to a failure to separate drinking and driving. Summarised in plain language:
| Hypothesis | What it describes | What is required | Controlled drinking? |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 – dependence | Physical or psychological dependence | As a rule, withdrawal therapy (or similar) and lasting abstinence, proven for 12 months | No |
| A2 – advanced misuse | No longer able to stay in control in the long term | As a rule, lasting abstinence, 12 months | Only as a narrow exception (since the 4th edition, 2022) |
| A3 – alcohol risk | Misuse without the entrenchment of A2 | Awareness of the problem and changed drinking behaviour | Yes, possible – or ~6 months of abstinence |
| A4 – ability to separate | Drinking and driving were linked | Stable separation of drinking and driving | Yes, in milder or one-off situations |
The classification is made by the assessor. What is important for your planning: controlled drinking mainly fits A3 and A4.
When is only abstinence an option?
Only abstinence is an option if there is dependence (A1). In the case of advanced misuse (A2), abstinence is the norm: since the 4th edition of the assessment criteria (2022), controlled drinking can also be accepted there, but only very restrictively – without any indication of dependence and with a stable plan proven for at least 6, preferably 12 months. Any doubt about the ability to stay in control leads to rejection. Controlled drinking also has little chance of success in repeat cases and with very high blood alcohol levels. As a rule of thumb, this means a level above ~2.0‰.
Another indication is high tolerance (Giftfestigkeit): if you showed no signs of impairment with a high blood alcohol level, assessors consider that you are strongly accustomed to alcohol. High levels therefore tend to point to A1 or A2 – and thus, as a rule, to abstinence.
When can controlled drinking be enough?
Controlled drinking can be enough if there is no finding of dependence and you live by a plausible, permanently stable plan. The plan needs fixed rules on amounts, drinking days, exceptions and emergency strategies. You must also show sufficient awareness of the problem: you should be able to explain why your earlier drinking behaviour was problematic.
Controlled drinking is not an „easier“ route. It requires discipline in everyday life and honest documentation, which must match what you say in the interview.
How do you prove abstinence or controlled drinking?
The proof differs considerably: you prove abstinence with laboratory results, and controlled drinking mainly with documentation.
| Abstinence | Controlled drinking | |
|---|---|---|
| Core proof | Laboratory tests according to the CTU criteria | Drinking log, diary, coaching reports |
| Typical duration | 6 or 12 months | Lived stably for a sufficient period |
| Methods | Urine EtG (6 months = 4, 12 months = 6 tests), hair EtG (max. 3 cm ≈ 3 months), PEth in blood (< 20 ng/ml = abstinence) | Fixed rules on amounts, drinking days, exceptions, emergency strategies |
| Basic rule | 0.0 – no alcohol | 0.0‰ at the wheel |
For proof of abstinence (Abstinenznachweis), the following applies: the laboratory must be accredited to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, the appointments are unannounced, and the programme must run without gaps. You can find details on the page on proof of abstinence. The guide Drinking log for the MPU shows what documentation for controlled drinking can look like.
What does the assessor ask about your drinking behaviour?
In the psychological interview, the assessor asks what your approach to alcohol looks like in concrete terms today and how you prove it. Typical questions are: What does a typical day look like today? Which situations are dangerous for you, and what do you do then? What is your plan if you slip up?
With controlled drinking, you should be able to justify your rules, not just list them. With abstinence, you should be able to explain why you go without alcohol and what has taken its place. In both cases, the assessor calculates back from your blood alcohol level how much you drank at the time and compares this with lab values such as CDT. Your statements must therefore be honest and match your file.
Which mistakes should you avoid?
The most common mistake is a choice that does not match your file. If you opt for controlled drinking after a drive with a very high blood alcohol level, you risk the assessor not considering the plan viable. A second mistake is starting too late: the evidence period is usually the bottleneck of the whole plan.
There are also pitfalls with abstinence. Dyed or bleached hair makes the EtG hair analysis unusable, and EtG can also be triggered by food containing alcohol or by mouthwash. If in doubt, avoid such products.
What you can do now
- Inspect your file (Akteneinsicht): the blood alcohol level, incidents and the question determine which route is realistic.
- Assess your case honestly: were there repeat offences, very high levels or signs of dependence? Then plan for abstinence.
- Decide and start early: an abstinence programme is best started immediately, because 6 or 12 months have to pass.
- Get professional backing: have your classification checked as part of MPU preparation. Find suitable preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose whether to live abstinently or drink in a controlled way?
Not freely. The classification follows from your file, and the chosen strategy must match it. In the case of dependence, advanced misuse, repeat offences or very high levels, abstinence is usually expected.
Are 6 months of abstinence enough?
That depends on how serious the case is. For alcohol risk (A3), about 6 months may be enough; for dependence or advanced misuse, 12 months are usually required.
With controlled drinking, may I drink something before driving?
No. With controlled drinking too, 0.0‰ at the wheel always applies, because the clear separation of drinking and driving is at the core of the plan.
Is dependence established by the MPU centre?
The assessor makes the classification under a hypothesis based on the file, lab values and the interview. During the medical examination, attention is paid to signs of dependence, among other things.
