An MPU (medical-psychological assessment, Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung) without proof of abstinence (Abstinenznachweis) is possible if the reason for your MPU does not require you to give up consumption. This applies above all to points cases and criminal offences not involving alcohol or drugs, as well as to milder alcohol cases in which stable controlled drinking can be sufficient. With alcohol dependence, advanced misuse and hard drugs, on the other hand, there is hardly any way around a documented abstinence period of 6 or 12 months.
What determines whether you need proof of abstinence?
Whether you need proof of abstinence depends on the question set by the driving licence authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) and on how your case is classified. Assessors assign every case to a hypothesis according to the assessment criteria (Beurteilungskriterien, currently 5th edition, 2026). This hypothesis determines what has to be proven for the expert report (Gutachten) to conclude "fit".
The classification follows from the case file: per mille or drug values, number of incidents, repetition, signs of dependence. Your own wishes play no part in this. That is why file inspection (Akteneinsicht) is the first step before you decide for or against a testing programme. How this works is shown in the guide File inspection at the driving licence authority.
Which cases do not require proof of abstinence?
As a rule, the cases that do not require proof of abstinence are those in which alcohol or drugs were not the reason at all. These are above all MPU orders after 8 points in the driving aptitude register (Fahreignungsregister, "Flensburg"; § 4 StVG, Road Traffic Act) and MPUs because of criminal offences or aggression, for example after leaving the scene of an accident (§ 142 StGB, German Criminal Code) or coercion (§ 240 StGB).
In these cases, it is about attitude and behaviour, not consumption. The assessor wants to see that you have understood the causes and changed your behaviour in a stable way. Instead of lab values, what counts here is awareness of the problem, concrete changes and a sustainable motive. You can find more on this on the page MPU because of points.
The following overview shows roughly how the reasons differ. The order from your authority is always binding.
| Reason | Proof of abstinence | Typical requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 8 points (§ 4 StVG) | usually not needed | Change in attitude and behaviour |
| Criminal offences, aggression | usually not needed | Stable change in behaviour, consider transfer of behaviour |
| Alcohol, hypothesis A4 | not mandatory | Stable separation of drinking and driving |
| Alcohol, hypothesis A3 | not mandatory | Controlled drinking or ~6 months of abstinence |
| Alcohol, hypothesis A2 | yes as a rule | 12 months of abstinence, controlled drinking only as a narrow exception |
| Alcohol, hypothesis A1 | yes | Therapy and 12 months of abstinence |
| Hard drugs (§ 14 FeV) | yes | 6 to 12 months of abstinence depending on the hypothesis |
When is controlled drinking enough in alcohol cases?
In alcohol cases, controlled drinking is only enough if there is no finding of dependence and you are living a plausible, permanently stable drinking concept. This fits above all with hypotheses A3 (alcohol risk) and A4 (ability to separate drinking and driving), i.e. milder or one-off constellations.
A sustainable concept consists of fixed rules: how much do you drink, on which days, what exceptions are there, what do you do in risk situations? Without exception this includes 0.0‰ at the wheel. You must document the concept, for example with a drinking log (Trinkprotokoll), a diary or reports from coaching.
Since the 4th edition of the assessment criteria, controlled drinking has also been possible as a narrow exception for A2 (advanced misuse). The requirements are: no sign of dependence, a concept developed in therapy and evidence over at least 6, preferably 12 months. Any doubt about your ability to control your drinking leads to rejection here.
When is abstinence required in alcohol cases?
In alcohol cases, abstinence is required if there is dependence (A1), and as a rule also in cases of advanced misuse (A2). Assessors then usually expect 12 months of documented abstinence, and in cases of dependence also withdrawal therapy or something comparable.
Repeat cases and very high per mille values also speak against controlled drinking. As a rule of thumb: from about 2.0‰, controlled drinking has little prospect of success. The reason is high alcohol tolerance (Giftfestigkeit): if you were driving with high values without signs of impairment, you had become strongly habituated to alcohol. The assessor concludes from this that there has been regular, increasing consumption over a long period.
The decision must be consistent with the case file. Anyone who turns up with controlled drinking after 2.3‰ and two drink-driving offences comes across as implausible. You can find a detailed weighing-up in the guide Controlled drinking or abstinence.
What about drugs and cannabis?
With hard drugs under § 14 FeV (Driving Licence Regulation, Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung), such as cocaine, amphetamine or opiates, proof of abstinence is practically always necessary. Even a single use can rule out fitness to drive, even without a drive. Reissuing the licence then usually requires proof of abstinence and an MPU.
How long depends on the hypothesis:
- D1 (dependence): therapy and stable abstinence over 12 months.
- D2 (misuse): advanced or polydrug use, hard drugs, stable abstinence over 12 months.
- D3 (risk): without signs of an advanced problem, lasting abstinence, 6 months is often enough.
There is no concept like "controlled drinking" for hard drugs. Since the Cannabis Act (Cannabisgesetz), cannabis has been regulated separately in § 13a FeV. Occasional use no longer automatically calls fitness to drive into question. In the case of cannabis dependence, however, fitness to drive is only considered restored after 1 year of proven abstinence. What is required in the individual case is stated in your order. The page MPU because of drugs gives an overview.
Does "without proof of abstinence" also mean "without evidence"?
No, "without proof of abstinence" does not mean that you go to the MPU without evidence. With controlled drinking, too, you must document your concept, and with points or criminal offences you must present your change credibly and concretely.
A positive expert report usually needs three pillars: insight into the problem, a concrete change in behaviour and stability with an inner motive. The assessor checks whether the case file, questionnaire, lab values and your account fit together. In an alcohol MPU, lab values from the medical examination are also part of this, for example liver values such as GGT or CDT.
Note: if you turn up without suitable proof even though the case file suggests abstinence, you risk a negative expert report and lose months. If in doubt, starting a programme early at a laboratory accredited under DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 is the safer choice.
Which mistakes should you avoid?
The most common mistake is deciding against proof of abstinence for reasons of convenience or cost rather than on the basis of the case file. As a guideline, an abstinence programme costs about €200–900; a lost year usually weighs more heavily.
- Deciding too late: if it turns out shortly before the MPU that abstinence is necessary, the clock only starts running then.
- Playing down the values: what you say about the amounts must match the per mille value. Assessors work out the amount you drank.
- Controlled drinking without a concept: "I drink less now" is not a concept. It needs fixed, documented rules.
- Confusing the reason: a points MPU does not require proof of abstinence, a drugs MPU almost always does.
You can find details on methods, periods and laboratories on the page Proof of abstinence.
What you can do now
- Request file inspection and write down the reason, legal basis and question.
- Classify your case honestly: points or a criminal offence, alcohol with what value, repetition, drugs?
- For alcohol without a finding of dependence, check whether a documented concept for controlled drinking realistically fits your case file.
- If there is doubt about your ability to control your drinking, or if drugs or high values are involved, start an abstinence programme at an accredited laboratory immediately.
- Look for support that assesses your case realistically, and find suitable preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need proof of abstinence for a points MPU?
As a rule, no. An MPU after 8 points is about attitude and behaviour in road traffic, not about consumption. It is different if your file also contains alcohol or drug offences.
Can I take the MPU with controlled drinking after 1.6 per mille?
That is possible if there is no finding of dependence and your case is classified as alcohol risk or a separation problem. You then need a stable, documented drinking concept. With repeat offences or values from about 2.0‰, controlled drinking has little prospect of success.
Are 6 months of abstinence enough, or does it have to be 12?
That depends on the hypothesis to which your case is assigned. With alcohol risk (A3) or drug risk (D3), about 6 months can be enough; with dependence or advanced misuse, 12 months is the rule. Clarify this on the basis of your file before you start.
Is there an MPU without proof of abstinence for cannabis?
Since § 13a FeV, occasional cannabis use no longer automatically calls fitness to drive into question. What is required follows from the question in your order. In the case of cannabis dependence, 1 year of proven abstinence is necessary.
