In short
A course for restoring fitness to drive under § 70 FeV (Driving Licence Regulation, Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung) replaces a repeat MPU (medical-psychological assessment, Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung) if four conditions from § 11 (10) FeV (Abs. 10 = subsection 10) are met: a recognised course, a recommendation in the MPU expert report, no driving licence held, and the authority's consent before the course begins. Then the certificate of attendance is usually sufficient instead of a new expert report. For MPUs because of points, traffic offences or criminal offences under § 11 (3) No. 4 to 7 FeV, this route is ruled out.
What is a course under § 70 FeV?
A course under § 70 FeV is an officially recognised course for restoring fitness to drive (Kurs zur Wiederherstellung der Kraftfahreignung). The providers of such courses are recognised by the competent authority if they meet the requirements of Annex 15 FeV. Recognition is limited to a maximum of 10 years (§ 70 (4) FeV).
The course is not a general preparation offer. It starts where an MPU expert report (Gutachten) has already found deficiencies in fitness that can be remedied by a course. A borderline result is typical: the report then does not simply say positive or negative, but recommends a follow-up course (Nachschulung). A § 70 course can turn such a "borderline" into "fit".
Which conditions does § 11 (10) FeV set out?
§ 11 (10) FeV sets out four conditions, which must all be met at the same time. Then a certificate of attendance is usually sufficient instead of a new medical-psychological expert report:
- Recognised course: the course must be recognised under § 70 FeV.
- Recommendation in the report: an MPU expert report from an assessment centre (Begutachtungsstelle für Fahreignung) considers participation in this type of course a suitable measure to remedy your deficiencies in fitness.
- No driving licence: you do not hold a driving licence, so this is about the reissue of the licence (Neuerteilung).
- Consent before the course begins: the driving licence authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) has agreed to your participation in the course before the course begins.
The order is decisive: first the expert report with a course recommendation, then the authority's consent, then the start of the course. If you start without consent, you risk the course not being accepted as a substitute for a new MPU.
For which MPU reasons does the course not apply?
The course under § 70 FeV does not apply to all reasons for an MPU. Under § 11 (10) sentence 2 FeV, this route is ruled out if the MPU was ordered:
- under § 4 (10) sentence 4 StVG (Road Traffic Act, Straßenverkehrsgesetz), that is, in connection with the points system,
- under § 11 (3) No. 4 to 7 FeV, that is, because of serious or repeated traffic offences or because of criminal offences connected with road traffic or fitness to drive, for example where there is potential for aggression.
In practice, the course is therefore mainly an option for MPUs because of alcohol (§ 13 FeV) or drugs (§ 14 FeV). Whether it is possible in your case follows from the order and the expert report. You can find more about these reasons on the page MPU because of alcohol.
How does the route via the § 70 course work?
The route via the § 70 course follows a fixed order. It does not start with the course, but with the expert report:
- Take the MPU: the report finds deficiencies in fitness, but explicitly recommends participation in a course of this type.
- Submit the report: the authority has to know the report in order to give its consent.
- Obtain consent: the authority agrees to your participation in the course before it begins.
- Enrol in a recognised course: book a course with a provider recognised under § 70 FeV.
- Attend in full: the course leader must refuse the certificate if you have not attended all sessions or have refused course tasks (§ 11 (11) FeV).
- Submit the certificate of attendance: it contains your personal details, the seminar model as well as the scope and duration, and is signed by the course leader and the participant.
A negative report without a course recommendation does not open up this route. Then, as a rule, the only option is to work through the causes and repeat the MPU. The guide MPU for the second time shows how to succeed with this.
How does the § 70 course differ from other measures?
The § 70 course is often confused with other courses and seminars. The most important differences:
| Measure | Legal basis | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Course for restoring fitness to drive | § 70, § 11 (10) FeV | Replaces a repeat MPU after a course recommendation in the report |
| Traffic psychology counselling | § 71 FeV | Recognised counselling, relating to § 2a StVG, mainly for new drivers |
| Follow-up course before the court | § 69a (7) StGB | Can help to have the court-imposed ban lifted early |
| Driving aptitude seminar (FES) | § 4a StVG | Removes 1 point, only with 1 to 5 points |
| Traffic therapy | voluntary measure | Intensive support in cases of dependence or repeat offences |
It is particularly often confused with the follow-up course under § 69a (7) StGB (German Criminal Code, Strafgesetzbuch). This only concerns the ban period (Sperrfrist) imposed by the court, not the MPU ordered by the authority. Details in the guide Shortening the ban period with a follow-up course. The page MPU preparation gives an overview of all forms of preparation.
Is the course worth it instead of a new MPU?
The course is worth it if your report recommends it, because it allows you to avoid repeating the whole MPU. Instead of a new assessment with a fee, an appointment and new preparation, the certificate of attendance is usually sufficient.
Taking a course "just in case", on the other hand, is of no use. Without a recommendation in the report and without the authority's consent, it does not replace an MPU. The page Failed the MPU explains what you can do after a negative result.
What you can do now
- Read the report carefully: does it contain an explicit recommendation for a course for restoring fitness to drive?
- Check the reason: was the MPU ordered because of alcohol or drugs and not under § 4 StVG or § 11 (3) No. 4 to 7 FeV?
- Obtain the authority's consent before you book a course.
- Choose a recognised provider and attend all sessions.
- If the result is negative without a recommendation, plan the repeat: find suitable preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a § 70 course while I still have a driving licence?
No, under § 11 (10) FeV the person concerned must not hold a driving licence. § 70 (1) FeV also provides that only people without a driving licence are admitted to the courses. The route therefore concerns the reissue of the licence.
Is the § 70 course also available for an MPU because of points?
No, for an MPU under § 4 (10) sentence 4 StVG, replacement by a certificate of attendance is ruled out. The same applies to MPUs because of traffic offences or criminal offences under § 11 (3) No. 4 to 7 FeV.
What happens if I miss a course session?
Then the course leader must refuse the certificate of attendance if you have not attended all sessions. Without a certificate, the course does not replace an MPU. So clarify the dates before you book.
Does the certificate of attendance guarantee that I get my driving licence?
No, there is no guarantee. Under § 11 (10) FeV, the certificate is usually sufficient as evidence instead of a new expert report. The decision on the reissue is made by the driving licence authority.
