Driver improvement seminar (FES) – points in Flensburg

Let us first explain the many terms so that you get a better understanding of how everything fits together:

What is the driving aptitude register (FAER) and the points system in Flensburg?

The driving aptitude register, formerly called the central traffic register, is an official database kept by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) in Flensburg. This register records all relevant information about traffic offences committed by drivers in Germany. This ranges from administrative offences such as speeding to serious traffic crimes such as drink-driving.

The points system in Flensburg is applied in this register. Every traffic offence is rated with a certain number of points depending on its severity. Minor offences result in one or two points, while serious offences can be punished with up to three points. These points are recorded in the FAER and remain for a certain period that depends on the severity of the offence.

When drivers reach 8 points, their driving licence is revoked. However, measures are already taken at lower point totals. At 4 to 5 points you receive a reminder, at 6 to 7 points a warning, often combined with the recommendation to attend a driver improvement seminar. From 8 points, an MPU (medical-psychological assessment) is required to get the driving licence back.

What does “points in Flensburg” mean?

When someone talks about “points in Flensburg”, they mean the traffic offences recorded in the driving aptitude register. Each point stands for a traffic offence committed and is therefore a sign that the driver has broken the road traffic regulations. The term is colloquial and comes from the fact that the Federal Motor Transport Authority, which keeps the register, is based in Flensburg.

The points system is primarily an educational tool and serves road safety. It is meant to help drivers reflect on their own driving behaviour and improve it where necessary. Points in Flensburg are not only an indicator of past offences; they also have concrete consequences for your right to drive.

Each recorded point remains for a certain period. Minor offences resulting in one point are deleted after 2.5 years. More serious ones, rated with 2 points, after 5 years. And criminal offences that resulted in 3 points, after 10 years. Each point is deleted automatically and strictly according to these rules once its period has expired.

Many different offences lead to points. Here are a few examples:

• Speeding offences

Exceeding the limit by 21 km/h or more in built-up areas or 26 km/h or more outside built-up areas results in at least one point.

• Drink-driving

From 0.5 per mille, or below that in the case of conspicuous driving, you get at least two points.

• Hit and run

This offence is punished with three points.

• Mobile phone at the wheel:

Using a mobile phone while driving results in one point.

Points per offence

At least 1 point:

Exceeding the
speed limit by
– 21 km/h in built-up areas
– 26 km/h outside built-up areas
– mobile phone at the wheel

At least 2 points:

– from 0.5 per mille
– for certain

offences or
conspicuous driving
also below that

8 Licence revoked

7 Warning

6 Warning

5 Reminder

4 Reminder

3 Recorded

2 Recorded

1 Recorded

0 All good

Points in Flensburg

Voluntary attendance also
possible, but without
point reduction.

Reduction through voluntary
attendance at a
driver improvement seminar
under these
conditions:

– Points: 1–5
– max. every 5 years
– reduction of 1 point

Points per offence

At least 1 point:

Exceeding the
speed limit by
– 21 km/h in built-up areas
– 26 km/h outside built-up areas
– mobile phone at the wheel

At least 2 points:

– from 0.5 per mille
– for certain

offences or
conspicuous driving
also below that

Points in Flensburg

8 Licence revoked / MPU ordered

7 Warning

6 Warning

5 Reminder

4 Reminder

3 Recorded

2 Recorded

1 Recorded

0 All good

Voluntary attendance also
possible, but without
point reduction.

Reduction through voluntary
attendance at a
driver improvement seminar
under these
conditions:

– Points: 1–5
– max. every 5 years
– reduction of 1 point

Every point is therefore a sign of risky or irresponsible driving and should be seen as a warning signal. It is important to take these signs seriously and adapt your driving behaviour to protect yourself and other road users.

What is a driver improvement seminar (FES)?

A driver improvement seminar, often also called a rehabilitation course or points reduction seminar, is a course designed to raise awareness of traffic rules and improve driving behaviour. These seminars are a measure to help road users who have broken the road traffic regulations learn better and safer ways of driving.

A driver improvement seminar consists of a traffic-education part and a traffic-psychology part. The educational part comprises two modules of 90 minutes each, and the psychological part consists of two one-to-one sessions of 75 minutes each. The aim is to make participants aware of the reasons for their misconduct, motivate them to adopt a safer driving style and inform them about the consequences of traffic offences.

Attending an FES is usually advisable when a driver has reached between 6 and 7 points in the driving aptitude register. However, it can be completed from just one point. It is a voluntary measure, but one that is strongly recommended to prevent further points from accumulating and the associated loss of the driving licence.

A major advantage of attending such a seminar is the possibility of having one point removed from the driving aptitude register. However, this is only possible once every five years and only if the driver has no more than 5 points at the start of the seminar.

The driver improvement seminar is therefore a preventive measure that serves to train drivers and encourage them to drive responsibly and in line with traffic rules. It is a first step towards avoiding the more drastic consequence of the medical-psychological assessment (MPU), which we will turn to next.

What is an MPU (medical-psychological assessment) and when is an MPU required?

The medical-psychological assessment, known as the MPU, is a procedure for assessing a person's fitness to drive. It is an in-depth examination carried out by specially trained traffic psychologists at accredited assessment centres throughout Germany.

The MPU consists of three parts: a medical examination, a psychological examination and a performance test. The medical examination checks the applicant's physical fitness. The psychological examination, on the other hand, looks at the applicant's personality, behaviour and attitudes towards road traffic. Finally, the performance test evaluates the applicant's reaction skills, attention and perception.

When is an MPU required?

An MPU is usually required when a person has reached 8 or more points in the driving aptitude register (points MPU). In this case, the driving licence is revoked and can only be regained after successfully passing an MPU. An MPU can also be ordered for serious offences such as drink-driving or drug use, regardless of the number of points in the register and/or the severity of the offence.

The effects of an MPU on the driving licence are considerable. If the MPU is not passed, the licence remains revoked. To get the driving licence back, the MPU must be passed. This often requires thorough preparation, as the assessment requires not only knowledge but also a change in behaviour and insight into one's own misconduct.

With MPU counselling at MPU-Akademie, you are ideally prepared for an MPU. Take advantage of the free initial consultation now.

The MPU is therefore a serious measure whose aim is to ensure road safety and make sure that only those who are genuinely fit to drive a vehicle safely hold a driving licence.

Comparison between the driver improvement seminar and the MPU

Both measures aim to improve road safety. However, they differ considerably in terms of when they are applied, their scope and their effects.

Points and application

A driver improvement seminar is usually recommended at 6 to 7 points, but is possible from just one point. It is a voluntary measure, but strongly advised in order to keep the driving licence. An MPU, on the other hand, is usually only required once 8 points have been reached or for particularly serious traffic offences. It is mandatory, and the driving licence is revoked until the MPU has been passed.

Effects

Attending a driver improvement seminar allows the driver to have one point deleted from the register, provided they had no more than 5 points at the start of the seminar. However, this is only possible once every five years. The MPU, on the other hand, has no direct effect on the number of points. It serves to reassess fitness to drive after the licence has been revoked. A positive result is a prerequisite for getting the driving licence back.

Procedure

A driver improvement seminar consists of two parts: a traffic-education part and a traffic-psychology part, completed over several sessions. The MPU is more extensive and includes a medical examination, a psychological examination and a performance test. The assessment requires thorough preparation and often professional counselling.

Here is a summary overview

Driver improvement seminar

MPU

Applies at

Possible from one point, usual at 6–7 points

8 points or for serious offences

Voluntary or mandatory

Voluntary

Mandatory

Effect on points

Reduction of one point (possible once in 5 years, if you have no more than 5 points)

No direct effect. Serves to regain the driving licence

Procedure

2 parts: traffic-education and traffic-psychology part over several sessions

3 parts: medical and psychological examination and performance test

Aim

Improve behaviour and avoid further points

Assessment of fitness to drive after licence revocation