After a drink-driving offence with 1.6‰ or more, the driving licence authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) will as a rule order an MPU (medical-psychological assessment, Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung) under § 13 FeV (Driving Licence Regulation, Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung) before you get your driving licence back. The most important step is to start early: request file inspection (Akteneinsicht), clarify your drinking behaviour and, if required, begin proof of abstinence (Abstinenznachweis) immediately. This is because the testing period of 6 or 12 months almost always determines the earliest date on which you can take the MPU.
Why is 1.6 per mille the decisive limit?
Under § 13 FeV, the limit of 1.6‰ blood alcohol concentration is the clearest trigger for an alcohol MPU. A single drive with this value is enough. An MPU is also possible from 1.1‰ if no typical signs of alcohol impairment occurred despite this value, and in cases of repeated drink-driving.
Assessors interpret high values without signs of impairment as high alcohol tolerance (Giftfestigkeit), i.e. as strong habituation to alcohol. From this they conclude that there has been regular, increasing consumption over a long period. This influences which requirements will later be placed on you. You can find more about the triggers on the page about the MPU because of alcohol.
What does the timeline look like after a drink-driving offence?
The timeline after a drink-driving offence is governed by two clocks: the ban period (Sperrfrist) set by the court and, if required, the abstinence period. Under § 69a StGB (German Criminal Code, Strafgesetzbuch), the ban period is usually 6 months to 5 years. Proof of abstinence takes 6 or 12 months and must be completed before the MPU.
| Point in time (guideline) | Step | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| Directly after revocation/judgment | 1. File inspection | Know the question, the values and the facts you are accused of |
| Immediately afterwards | 2. Clarify drinking behaviour | Abstinence or controlled drinking, consistent with the case file |
| As early as possible | 3. Start the programme | Accredited laboratory, without gaps, 6 or 12 months |
| In parallel, approx. 2–3 months | 4. Preparation | Typically 10–12 sessions of 60 minutes each |
| ~3 months before the ban ends | 5. Application for reissue of the licence | The authority then orders the MPU |
| After the order and end of the testing period | 6. MPU | Freely chosen, officially recognised assessment centre |
| After a positive expert report | 7. Submit the expert report | The driving licence is reissued |
Important: if your ban period is shorter than the required abstinence period, the proof of abstinence determines the date, not the ban. That is why every week you start earlier counts.
Step 1: Why does file inspection come first?
File inspection comes first because it is the only way to know the exact question the authority is asking and all the facts you are accused of. These include the exact per mille value, any signs of impairment and earlier entries. This information decides whether 6 or 12 months of proof are needed and which hypothesis is likely. How to go about it is explained in the guide File inspection at the driving licence authority.
Step 2: Abstinence or controlled drinking?
Whether abstinence is necessary or controlled drinking is enough depends on how your case is classified. In cases of dependence or advanced misuse, only abstinence comes into question, usually over 12 months. Controlled drinking is only possible without a finding of dependence and with a stable, documented concept.
As a rule of thumb: with very high values above ~2.0‰, controlled drinking has little prospect of success, and the same applies to repeat cases. The choice must be consistent with the case file. You can find details in the guide Controlled drinking or abstinence.
Step 3: How do you start the abstinence programme correctly?
You start an abstinence programme correctly by choosing a laboratory accredited under DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 that is recognised by the assessment centre (Begutachtungsstelle für Fahreignung), and registering immediately. With urine screening, 6 months means 4 tests and 12 months means 6 tests, each unannounced, with the sample usually to be given within ~24 hours. Alternatively or additionally, hair analyses (max. 3 cm, corresponding to ~3 months) or the blood value PEth are possible.
The programme must run without gaps. A missed appointment or a positive value can invalidate it, and the clock starts again. You can find more about the methods on the page about proof of abstinence.
Step 4: How do you prepare for the interview?
Preparation (Vorbereitung) for the psychological interview typically comprises 10–12 sessions of 60 minutes each, usually once a week over 2–3 months. The aim is not answer training, but genuinely working through the issues: why did you drink, what has changed, how do you deal with risk situations?
At 1.6‰ and above, one point is especially important: assessors work out the amount you drank from the per mille value. What you say about the amounts must be honest and consistent with the case file.
Steps 5 to 7: application, MPU and expert report
It is best to apply for the reissue of the licence (Neuerteilung) about 3 months before the ban period ends, because processing and the MPU take time. The authority then orders the MPU. You are free to choose the assessment centre from among the officially recognised centres.
The MPU itself takes around 3–4 hours. You submit a positive expert report (Gutachten) to the driving licence authority (Führerscheinstelle). You do not have to submit a negative report; presenting it is voluntary. In practice, authorities usually accept a report for about 1–3 years.
What costs should you expect?
As a guideline, the total costs are approx. €1,500–4,000. The fee for the expert report for an alcohol MPU is about €550–750, and proof of abstinence costs about €200–900 depending on duration and method. On top of this come preparation and the fee for reissuing the licence. The page on MPU costs gives a more detailed overview.
Note: whether your ban can be lifted early (§ 69a (7) StGB, Abs. 7 = subsection 7) or whether the order can be challenged is a legal question. Have it checked by a specialist lawyer for traffic law (Fachanwalt für Verkehrsrecht).
What you can do now
- Apply for file inspection and read the authority's question carefully.
- Clarify and start the testing programme: which method, 6 or 12 months, which accredited laboratory?
- Begin preparation in parallel with the testing, not just shortly before the MPU. Find suitable preparation.
- Note the date for your application: about 3 months before the end of your ban period.
- Keep an eye on deadlines: the page on MPU deadlines gives an overview.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the MPU before the ban period ends?
You should apply for the reissue of your licence about 3 months before the ban period ends, so that processing and the MPU can take place in good time. If proof of abstinence is required, the testing period must be completed before the MPU.
Do I always need proof of abstinence after 1.6 per mille?
Not in every case. Without a finding of dependence, stable controlled drinking can also come into question; in cases of dependence, advanced misuse, repeat offences or very high values, however, abstinence is usually necessary.
Do I have to hand in a negative MPU expert report?
No, presenting it is voluntary. A negative report remains unknown to the authority, and you can make a new attempt after genuinely working through the issues.
Does the 1.6 per mille limit also apply on a bicycle?
Yes, on a bicycle too, a ride at 1.6‰ or more leads to an MPU order. If you do not pass it, you can lose your driving licence for cars.
