Finding a traffic psychologist: how do you recognise real qualifications?

What does a traffic psychologist do in MPU preparation?

A traffic psychologist (Verkehrspsychologe) helps you understand the causes of what happened, change your behaviour for good and prepare for the psychological interview of the MPU (medical-psychological assessment). 10–12 sessions of 60 minutes each over 2–3 months are typical, more or fewer depending on the case.

Clear roles are important: counselling is not assessment. Counsellors prepare you; the expert report (Gutachten) is produced independently by an officially recognised assessment centre (Begutachtungsstelle für Fahreignung). Anyone who promises during preparation that they can influence the expert report is crossing this line.

Preparation (Vorbereitung) is based on the assessors' logic, the assessment criteria (Beurteilungskriterien) in the 5th edition from 2026. A qualified counsellor knows the hypotheses used to classify your case and aligns the work accordingly. The page MPU preparation gives an overview.

What qualifications does § 71 FeV require?

§ 71 FeV governs the official recognition of people who provide traffic-psychological counselling under § 2a Abs. 7 StVG (Road Traffic Act), that is, mainly in connection with the probationary period. Voluntary MPU preparation is not strictly bound by § 71. But the requirements set out there are a good benchmark for qualifications.

Under § 71 Abs. 2 FeV, confirmation from the Traffic Psychology Section of the Professional Association of German Psychologists (Berufsverband Deutscher Psychologinnen und Psychologen) is given to anyone who proves:

Quality assurance must be proven to the section every two years. You may ask a provider directly whether they have this confirmation or what comparable evidence they can show.

What forms of counselling and therapy are there?

There are several forms that differ in scope and purpose. Which one suits you depends on the reason for your MPU and your hypothesis.

• Traffic-psychological counselling (§ 71 FeV): recognised counselling linked to § 2a StVG. Voluntary MPU preparation is similar in content, often 3 individual sessions of 1 hour each with a certificate.
• MPU preparation: typically 10–12 sessions focusing on causes, change and the interview.
• Traffic therapy (Verkehrstherapie): more intensive, longer support in cases of dependence or repeat offences.
• Courses under § 70 FeV: officially recognised courses for restoring fitness to drive. They can turn a borderline MPU result into „fit to drive" if the expert report recommends them.

In cases of dependence, for example hypothesis A1 or D1, therapeutic support is usually part of the path. Preparing for the interview alone is not enough then.

How do you recognise a good way of working?

You can recognise a good way of working by the fact that the counsellor works on your real case and not on a template. This shows already in the first meeting.

Look out for these features:

• File inspection first: the counsellor wants to know the authority's question and what is in the file.
• Active listening without judgement: you should be able to talk honestly about consumption and causes.
• Based on levels and the file: amounts are not played down, because contradictions stand out immediately in the expert report.
• A realistic timetable: a required proof of abstinence (Abstinenznachweis) of 6 or 12 months is raised straight away.
• Real change instead of learning by heart: the goal is your own words, not rehearsed sentences.
• Transparent costs: guide values for preparation and counselling are €50–2,000, see MPU costs.
• Clear limits: for legal questions, the counsellor refers you to a specialist lawyer for traffic law (Fachanwalt für Verkehrsrecht).

Another sign of quality is a clear common thread. The psychological interview in the MPU typically follows three phases: the past (what was the problem, what were the causes), the present (what has actually changed, and since when) and the future (why will it not happen again, what strategies do you have for risky situations). Good counselling works through all three phases with you instead of just collecting answers to individual questions.

Which warning signs should you take seriously?

You should take seriously anything that promises you a pass without real change. Such offers cost money and time and, in the worst case, can make you liable to prosecution.

1. Pass guarantee: serious counsellors do not promise success.
2. Model answers: rehearsed language seems implausible and is among the common reasons for failing.
3. Ready-made or bought evidence: clean results for money or backdated programmes are forgery of documents (Urkundenfälschung).
4. EU driving licence packages: a sham residence usually does not meet the residence principle. The consequence can be driving without a licence.
5. No question about the file: anyone who does not want to know your authority's question cannot prepare you in a targeted way.
6. Abstinence „later": anyone who delays the start of a required programme pushes back your whole timetable.

You will find a detailed checklist in the guide Recognising serious MPU preparation.

Which questions do you ask in the first meeting?

In the first meeting you ask about qualifications, approach and costs. The answers quickly show you whether a provider suits you.

1. What training and experience do you have in traffic psychology?
2. Are you confirmed under § 71 FeV or part of a comparable quality assurance system?
3. How many sessions do you think are necessary in my case, and why?
4. How do you deal with my file and my abstinence period?
5. Which certificate will I receive at the end?
6. What does the preparation cost in total?

Whether you work online or in person is secondary. You will find a comparison of both formats in the guide MPU preparation online or in person.

What you can do now

1. Apply for file inspection so that every counsellor knows your authority's question.
2. Compare two or three providers by qualifications, approach and total costs.
3. Ask for evidence: degree, traffic-psychological training, confirmation under § 71 FeV.
4. Tick off the warning signs: no guarantee, no model answers, no bought evidence.
5. Choose a provider and find suitable preparation.