In short
The MPU (medical-psychological assessment, Medizinisch-Psychologische Untersuchung) itself takes about 3–4 hours on a single day. The whole procedure from the order to getting your licence back, by contrast, usually takes many months, because the ban period (Sperrfrist), the abstinence period and your preparation set the pace. If you need proof of abstinence (Abstinenznachweis), you should expect at least 6, and often 12, months for this element alone.
How long does the MPU appointment itself take?
The MPU appointment takes about 3–4 hours in total. It consists of four elements that you go through on one day.
| Element | Guide duration | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Written questionnaire | 30–40 minutes | Information on your history, the offence, consumption and living circumstances |
| Medical examination | 30–40 minutes | Physical examination, lab results, conversation with the doctor |
| Performance and reaction test | 30–40 minutes | Computer test, e.g. Vienna Test System or Corporal |
| Psychological interview | 45–60 minutes | The most important part: causes, change, stability |
On top of this there are waiting times between the elements. So plan the day generously and do not schedule any important appointments straight afterwards. The page MPU procedure explains the process in detail.
How long does the whole procedure take?
The whole procedure takes as long as its longest element, and that is usually either the ban period or the abstinence period. There is no fixed overall duration, because every case is different.
The most important time blocks at a glance, each as a guide value:
| Phase | Guide value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Ban period after withdrawal by a court | 6 months to 5 years | § 69a StGB |
| Ban after withdrawal for 8 points | at least 6 months | § 4 StVG |
| Abstinence period, if required | 6 or 12 months | Assessment criteria, CTU |
| Preparation / traffic therapy | typically 10–12 sessions over 2–3 months | depends on the case |
| Application for reissue of the licence | submit about 1–3 months before the ban period ends | processing and the MPU take time |
| MPU appointment | about 3–4 hours | assessment day |
These phases do not run one after the other but overlap. You can and should start abstinence and preparation while the ban period is still running. How long processing takes at the authority and the assessment centre (Begutachtungsstelle für Fahreignung) varies from office to office. Ask them directly.
Why is the abstinence period usually the bottleneck?
The abstinence period is usually the bottleneck because it must be completed in full before the MPU and cannot be shortened. In alcohol and drug cases this is usually 6 or 12 months.
How long your period is depends on the severity of the case and your history. 12 months is common, and in cases of dependence it is usually at least 12 months. If there is a risk of alcohol problems without an entrenched problem (hypothesis A3), around 6 months of abstinence or controlled drinking may be enough.
A second reason: a positive result or a missed appointment usually invalidates the current programme. The abstinence clock then starts again. If you start late or have to break off a programme, you can quickly lose half a year or more. More on this on the page Proof of abstinence.
What does a timetable look like in an example?
An example shows how the phases overlap. Assume a court-imposed ban period of 12 months and a required abstinence of 12 months. All values are guide values, not a promise.
- Month 0: the withdrawal and ban period begin. You apply for file inspection (Akteneinsicht).
- Month 1: you start the abstinence programme at an accredited laboratory.
- Months 4 to 8: preparation with about 10–12 sessions, alongside abstinence.
- Months 9 to 11: application for reissue (Neuerteilung), about 1–3 months before the ban period ends. The authority orders the MPU.
- Month 13: the 12-month abstinence period is complete. Only now does the MPU appointment make sense.
- After that: submit the positive expert report (Gutachten), and the licence is issued.
The example shows the typical effect: because abstinence only started one month after the ban began, it ends after the ban period. The licence then comes back later than the ban alone would suggest. An early start would have reduced this gap.
Rule of thumb: Start a required abstinence programme as early as possible. In many cases, every month of delay pushes back the end of the whole procedure.
What makes the procedure take longer than necessary?
The procedure is mainly drawn out unnecessarily by mistakes at the start and a lack of planning. Many of these delays can be avoided.
- No file inspection: without knowing the question, you may start the wrong programme.
- Starting abstinence too late: the most common and most expensive mistake.
- Formal errors in the proof: a laboratory that is not accredited, gaps, dyed hair for EtG hair analysis.
- Applying too late: processing then only starts once the ban period has already ended.
- Going to the MPU unprepared: a negative expert report means a second attempt with new preparation.
The guide Calculating the ban period and applying explains how to time your application correctly.
How long is the expert report valid afterwards?
An MPU expert report has no statutory expiry date. In practice, however, authorities usually only accept it for about 1–3 years.
This is mainly relevant if a lot of time passes between the report and the application. Submitting it is voluntary: you do not have to submit a negative report. The authority then only knows about the report you submit. You will find more on all the relevant dates on the page MPU deadlines.
What applies if you still have your licence?
If you still have your licence, the authority sets a deadline in the order by which you must submit the expert report (§ 11 Abs. 6 FeV). If you do not submit it in time, the authority may conclude under § 11 Abs. 8 FeV that you are unfit to drive.
In this situation the deadline sets the pace, not the ban period. If the deadline is not long enough for a required proof of abstinence, you should talk to the authority early and, if necessary, involve a specialist lawyer for traffic law (Fachanwalt für Verkehrsrecht). The guide Missed the MPU deadline describes what happens if you miss a deadline.
What you can do now
- Apply for file inspection and clarify whether 6 or 12 months of abstinence are required.
- Enter the end of the ban period or the deadline from the order in your calendar.
- Start the abstinence programme immediately if required, and see it through without gaps.
- Plan your application date: about 1–3 months before the ban period ends.
- Start preparing in parallel and find suitable preparation.
Frequently asked questions
When will I receive the MPU expert report?
You receive the expert report from the assessment centre, not from the authority. How long it takes to produce varies from centre to centre, so ask when you register. Afterwards you decide yourself whether to submit it to the driving licence authority.
Can I do the different elements on different days?
The MPU is designed as a single appointment of about 3–4 hours. The questionnaire, medical examination, performance test and interview usually take place on the same day. So set aside the whole morning or afternoon.
Can I shorten the abstinence period?
No, the required period of 6 or 12 months must be documented in full and without gaps. Whether 6 months is enough depends on the severity of the case and your history. Clarify this using the file before you start.
How long does preparation take?
10–12 sessions of 60 minutes each are typical, usually once a week over 2–3 months. Depending on the case, it may be more or less. Preparation works best alongside the abstinence period.
