How long does your MPU take?

MPU procedure – compactly explained

From the offense to passing the MPU

Whether you are just getting started or already planning your MPU, we listen carefully, assess your situation professionally, and clearly explain which next steps make sense for you.

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We will explain to you what is important and how you will pass your MPU.

-- Table of contents --

1 MPU process - From offense to successful MPU
2 Follow these steps and you will pass your MPU
3 1. Traffic offense(s) - MPU examination reason
4 2. Clarify whether proof of abstinence is required for the MPU
5 3. MPU preparation
6 4. Access to files is important
7 5. Implementing what you have learned
8 6. Application for a new driving licence
9 7. Selection of the MPU assessment center
10 8. Your driving license file will be sent
11 9. MPU examination fee
12 10. Receipt of your MPU appointment
13 11. MPU appointment - How does an MPU work?
14 12. Driving aptitude report will be sent
15 13. Submit a positive MPU report to the driver’s license office

MPU process - From offense to successful MPU

How does an MPU work? If you are about to take an MPU, you are probably asking yourself these questions. In our MPU guide, we will explain MPU process with you in detail. All steps from the offense to your MPU are described in detail. To avoid wasting time and money in the process from the offense to the MPU, the individual steps leading up to the actual MPU must be well coordinated, and the MPU deadlines must be adhered to.

If you are unable to meet deadlines during the process for any reason (e.g., illness, long wait times for an MPU appointment, etc.), apply for an extension in a timely manner. This is often possible, but not always.

Every medical-psychological assessment (MPU) begins with one or more offenses. As soon as it becomes apparent that a traffic violation, a criminal offense, or a drug-related offense could lead to an MPU, you should seek traffic psychology counseling. Often, the question arises whether you need to abstain from alcohol, and if so, for 6, 12, or 15 months. This question should be clarified as quickly as possible to avoid wasting valuable time. The organizational steps involved in preparing for your MPU can also raise questions. And last but not least, you're probably wondering how to convince the assessor of your fitness to drive.

These and similar questions are often difficult to answer on your own. You should consult an experienced Traffic psychologists Clarify your questions and learn about the MPU process and the MPU consulting and all applicable MPU costs Have it explained transparently. Remember that half-hearted preparation can quickly drive up the costs of your MPU – especially if you have to repeat the MPU.

Did you know that following the steps below will help you pass your MPU? If not, read on.

Follow these steps and you will pass your MPU

1. Traffic offense(s) - MPU examination reason

For example, if you participated in road traffic under the influence of narcotics or alcohol, have accumulated 8 or more points in Flensburg, or have come to the attention of the authorities through criminal offenses, then you face the revocation of your driver's license and, depending on the offense, an order to undergo a medical-psychological assessment (MPU) for alcohol, drugs, points, or criminal offenses.

Please contact a traffic psychologist to check the requirements for a positive MPU result.

A free initial MPU consultation You can reserve in our calendar.

2. Clarify whether proof of abstinence is required for the MPU

In the vast majority of cases, a drug MPU is Abstinence of 6, 12 or 15 months required. In some cases, abstinence from alcohol may also be necessary. Whether alcohol abstinence is required depends on several factors (for example, your past drinking habits and the number of documented drunk driving offenses).

We check on a case-by-case basis whether proof of abstinence is necessary or whether a controlled alcohol consumption is possible. Please feel free to arrange a free and non-binding consultation with one of our traffic psychologists. If proof of abstinence is required for your MPU due to alcohol or drugs, start a recognized Control programIt is important that the abstinence monitoring program CTU criteria You cannot complete an abstinence control program with your family doctor.

3. MPU preparation

You should use the time until your MPU to prepare thoroughly. With good MPU preparation, you increase your chances of getting a positive MPU report The failure rates for the MPU are probably not as high as some self-proclaimed experts claim, but: Without thorough traffic psychology preparation, hardly anyone manages to receive a positive MPU report. Further details on the failure rates can be found at MPU.

4. Access to files is important

You have the right to view your driving licence file. We recommend that you take advantage of this opportunity. Firstly, you can check whether your file is up to date, and secondly, you can understand what the assessor knows about you and thus avoid unpleasant surprises. Please note that you can only view your file while it is still with the driving licence authority. Once your file has been sent to your chosen assessment centre, you will no longer be able to view it.

Reviewing your driver's license file during MPU preparation is of considerable importance in the MPU process.

5. Implementing what you have learned

The learned and the developed new attitudes and behaviors should not only be mastered in theory, but should also have stabilized and proven effective in everyday life. MPU assessor On the day of the MPU, you want to be able to understand that the person concerned has changed their attitudes and behavior in everyday life – whether regarding alcohol, drugs, points, etc. Therefore, it is important to begin your MPU preparation early.

6. Application for a new driving licence

You submit your application for a renewed driver's license to the driver's license authority (your driver's license office). You should submit your application approximately three to six months before your MPU.
A current criminal record, a vision test, a first aid course certificate, and the application form must be attached to the application. A fee is also payable.

The application for a reinstatement of your driving license is an important component of the entire MPU process. If the application is submitted too late, the MPU can easily be delayed by several weeks or months. Check with your driver's license office beforehand to find out how long it will take to process your application for a reinstatement.

7. Selection of the MPU assessment center

You declare your consent to an MPU assessment to your responsible driving license office and name an MPU office of your choice (e.g. TÜV Hessen, AVUS, DEKRA). You are free to choose which recognized assessment center you would like to take the MPU at. How does an MPU proceed after you have selected the MPU assessment center?

8. Your driving license file will be sent

Your driving license office sends your driving license file to the selected MPU assessment center.

9. MPU examination fee

You will now receive a letter from the assessment center confirming that your file has been received and requesting that you transfer the assessment fee for the MPU in advance. Some assessment centers also allow you to pay on the day of the examination.

10. Receipt of your MPU appointment

After receiving the assessment fee, you will receive an MPU appointment for the assessment – usually at very short notice. Sometimes the lead time for an MPU appointment is quite long, and you may have to wait several weeks for your MPU appointment.

11. MPU appointment - How does an MPU work?

How long does an MPU take? You should plan approximately 3-4 hours (including waiting time) for your MPU appointment. In summary, the MPU consists of three parts:

Medical examination: In the medical part of the MPU (Medical-Psychological Assessment), your health will be examined by a doctor, including reflexes, heart function, and the musculoskeletal system. The doctor will ask about pre-existing conditions, medications, cigarette and alcohol consumption, and may take a blood or urine sample depending on the specific questions being addressed. Your statements to the doctor should not differ from those you provided to the psychologist.

Reaction tests and performance tests: Your resilience, reaction time, and concentration skills are assessed using a computer test. This part of the MPU poses no problem at all for most participants.

Even if the results of the reaction and performance tests are not sufficient, there is still the possibility of Driving behavior observationin which you can demonstrate that you have the prerequisites to drive a vehicle safely.

Psychological examination interview: The psychological interview is usually the most challenging. The interview with a psychologist is very detailed and often goes into great depth, for which many affected individuals are not adequately prepared. In this part of the MPU, you will be questioned in detail about the background and causes of the offenses on your record. The examiner will want you to plausibly explain what changes you have made so far to ensure you can avoid future drunk driving or traffic violations. At the end of the interview, you will have the opportunity to ask the examiner for their assessment.

In our video, we've summarized the process of an alcohol MPU for you. However, the process is very similar for every question.

12. Driving aptitude report will be sent

You will receive your MPU report from the assessment center. This can usually take 2-3 weeks. Have two copies of the report sent to your home. One copy is for your convenience, and the second copy is to be submitted to the driver's license office. The second best part of the MPU process is receiving your positive MPU report.

13. Submit a positive MPU report to the driver’s license office

When submitting the MPU, make sure you stay within the MPU deadline for submitting the report. If it becomes apparent that you will not be able to meet this deadline, you should submit a justified application for an MPU extension to the driver's license office in good time. The best part of the MPU process is receiving your driver's license.

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Frequently asked questions about the MPU process

When will the assessment take place?

Once the driver's license office has sent the file with the questions to the assessment center, you will receive a bank transfer slip for payment of the assessment fees. Once these fees have been paid, an appointment for the assessment will be scheduled.

What does an MPU include?

The MPU lasts about three to four hours and is divided into three parts:

The medical part
The psychophysiological performance test
The psychological examination interview

The sequence of the individual examinations is not specified in the MPU procedure.

How long does it take to prepare for the MPU?

Preparation without abstinence takes approximately four to six weeks. We support the process of change, and ideally, MPU preparation begins much earlier. If abstinence is required during an MPU due to drug or alcohol consumption, the time is typically six to 12 months. Further information can be found at: How long does it take to prepare for the MPU?

How long does an MPU take?

You should plan on approximately 3-4 hours (including waiting times) for your MPU appointment.