In the psychological interview of the MPU (medical-psychological assessment, Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung), a traffic psychologist (Verkehrspsychologin or Verkehrspsychologe) asks you about three things for around 45–60 minutes: what was going on back then, what has changed since, and why will it not happen again? What matters is not perfect wording, but whether your answers are honest, concrete, free of contradictions and consistent with the case file. Here you will find the typical questions sorted by phase, and what a good answer should address in each case.
How is the psychological interview structured?
The psychological interview usually follows three phases: past, present and future. It is the most important part of the MPU, because this is where it is established whether you have understood your earlier problem behaviour and whether your change is stable. The medical examination and the performance test complete the picture, but rarely decide the outcome on their own.
| Phase | Core question | What the assessor wants to know |
|---|---|---|
| Past | What was the problem? | Extent, course, triggers and underlying causes |
| Present | What has specifically changed? | Since when, how it shows, what proves it |
| Future | Why will it not happen again? | Strategies for risk situations, a sustainable motive |
You can find an overview of the entire assessment day on the page about the MPU procedure.
What questions are asked about the past?
The questions about the past aim to find out whether you can honestly assess your earlier pattern of consumption or behaviour. Typical questions are:
- Why are you here, and what exactly happened (date, values, situation)?
- How much and how often did you consume? Over what period?
- What was the actual cause, and what did the consumption or behaviour "take care of" for you?
- Were there earlier warning signs that you overlooked or pushed aside?
A good answer goes into your personal history: since when, how often, how much and how it developed. It names external causes such as your social environment, stress or crises and factors that lie within yourself. Here, assessors are looking for a functional understanding: what purpose did the consumption serve for you, and what was it compensating for?
What questions are asked about the present?
The questions about the present check whether your change is concrete, actually lived and backed up by evidence. Typical questions are:
- What exactly have you changed since then? Since when?
- How do others (family, colleagues) notice that something has changed?
- What does a typical day, or your handling of alcohol or substances, look like today?
- How do you prove this (evidence, log)?
A good answer describes concrete steps rather than empty phrases: abstinence or controlled drinking, a changed social environment, new strategies. It names a point in time and refers to evidence such as proof of abstinence (Abstinenznachweis), a drinking log (Trinkprotokoll) or course certificates.
What questions are asked about the future?
The questions about the future clarify whether your change will hold up under pressure. Typical questions are:
- Which specific situations are dangerous for you, and what do you do then?
- What is your plan in case of a relapse or a "slip"?
- Why is your change more stable than just "fear of the consequences"?
A good answer names real risk situations from your life and a concrete plan for them. The motive should come from within: your driving licence may be important to you, but the change should not happen only "for the licence".
What do assessors check in your answers?
Assessors check three pillars which, according to the assessment criteria (Beurteilungskriterien, 5th edition, 2026), usually all have to be met:
- Insight into the problem and understanding of its causes: an honest examination of your own pattern, without playing it down.
- Change in behaviour: concrete, comprehensible changes, including strategies for risk situations.
- Stability and motive: the change has been tested over a sufficient period of time and internalised.
On top of this comes consistency: the case file, the questionnaire, lab values and your account are compared with one another. In alcohol cases, the assessor works out the amount you drank from your blood alcohol concentration. If the amount you state does not match the per mille value or the CDT, the contradiction is noticed immediately.
Are there trick questions at the MPU?
Yes, there are seemingly harmless questions that test honesty and preparation, such as "How long have you had your driving licence?". Questions like this already appear in the written questionnaire that is filled in before the interview. What you state there must later match the interview and the case file.
The best strategy against trick questions is not tactics but honesty. If you answer calmly, consistently and truthfully, you do not have to remember what you said where. Taking a moment to think is allowed.
Why do memorised model answers not help?
Memorised model answers do not help, because rehearsed language comes across as implausible in the interview. Assessors ask follow-up questions and quickly notice whether there is a personal story behind a phrase. Instead of ready-made sentences, you should understand the principle that makes an answer convincing.
| Weak answer | Convincing answer |
|---|---|
| "That was a one-off exception." | Describes the actual pattern and the underlying cause |
| "I drink less now." | States specifically what has changed, since when, and how it is proven |
| "I need my driving licence." | Explains an inner motive that holds up even under stress |
| Stating smaller amounts than the values indicate | An honest amount that matches the case file, rather "more than I would have liked" |
The core principle is: concrete instead of empty phrases, honest instead of glossed over, cause understood, change proven, motive from within.
Which no-gos often lead to failing in the interview?
The most common reasons for failing are playing things down and contradictions. In detail, you should avoid:
- Trivialising, or the opposite, dramatising. Both usually contradict the values and the case file.
- Contradictions between the questionnaire, your account and the lab values.
- No real insight: "I have learned from it", without being able to explain why it happened in the first place.
- Seeing only the symptom: the drive rather than the pattern behind it.
- Postponed change: "from now on I will drive more carefully" instead of a change you are already living.
- Excuses and blaming others or the circumstances.
A special case is high alcohol tolerance (Giftfestigkeit): if you showed no signs of impairment despite a high per mille value, assessors consider this a sign of strong habituation to alcohol. The story of a "one-off slip" then has practically no chance.
What you can do now
- Request file inspection (Akteneinsicht), so that you know the authority's question and all the facts you are accused of.
- Think your story through honestly: since when, how often, how much, why, and what has specifically changed since then.
- Collect evidence: proof of abstinence, a drinking log if applicable, course or therapy certificates.
- Practise the interview, without drilling answers: a reputable MPU preparation typically comprises 10–12 sessions over 2–3 months. Find suitable preparation.
- Deal with nervousness: you will find tips for the day of the assessment in the guide MPU day without panic.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the psychological interview at the MPU take?
The psychological interview takes about 45–60 minutes. The entire MPU, with questionnaire, medical examination and performance test, takes around 3–4 hours.
Am I allowed to think briefly before I answer in the interview?
Yes, thinking briefly is fine. More important than a quick answer is an honest answer in your own words that matches what you said earlier.
Do I have to state exactly how much I drank back then?
You should state an honest amount that matches the case file. Assessors work out the amount from the per mille value and compare it with lab values such as CDT, which is why understating it is noticed immediately.
Is there a guarantee that I will pass the interview with good preparation?
No, there is no guarantee of passing, and anyone who promises one is not working reputably. Preparation helps you understand your story and make proven change visible; the assessor evaluates it independently.
