Guide · Alcohol
MPU because of alcohol
An MPU because of alcohol is ordered mainly if you drove with a blood alcohol level of 1.6 per mille or more, or were caught under the influence of alcohol more than once. It is also possible below that, from 1.1 per mille, if you showed no signs of impairment despite the alcohol. The MPU then looks at whether you have changed your relationship with alcohol for good.
From what level is an MPU ordered?
The rules are in § 13 of the German driving licence regulation (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung). Under it, the driving licence authority orders an MPU in any of these cases:
| Case | What it means |
|---|---|
| 1.6 per mille or more | You drove a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 1.6 per mille or a breath alcohol level of 0.8 mg/l or more. This also applies to bicycles. |
| Repeatedly under alcohol | You were caught in traffic under the influence of alcohol more than once, even with lower levels. |
| Signs of misuse | Other facts point to alcohol misuse, for example a medical report. |
| Earlier withdrawal | Your licence was withdrawn before for one of these reasons. |
Since a ruling by the Federal Administrative Court in 2021, an MPU can also be required after a single drive below 1.6 per mille: if you had at least 1.1 per mille and still showed no typical signs of alcohol impairment. The court sees this as a sign of high tolerance to alcohol.
What do the assessors want to know?
The psychological interview is not about punishing you. The assessors want to judge whether you will reliably keep alcohol and driving apart in future. Typical topics are:
- What did your drinking look like before the incident: how much, how often, in which situations?
- Why did you drink like that? What role did stress, habit or the people around you play?
- What have you changed since then, and since when?
- How do you handle situations today in which you used to drink?
- How do you notice when you are slipping back into old patterns, and what do you do then?
The assessors compare what you say with your file, for example with the measured blood alcohol level. Anyone who talks about “two beers” with a high level does not sound credible. Honesty is the only good way here.
Abstinence or controlled drinking?
Whether you have to give up alcohol completely or whether controlled use can be enough depends on your history. Many alcohol MPUs require abstinence proof, usually over 6 or 12 months. How that works is explained in the guide on abstinence proof.
Clarify this question early. It determines how long your preparation takes and when an MPU appointment makes sense.
How I prepare you
My professional focus is addiction, alcohol and relapse prevention. We look at your file together, work through your story honestly and practise the interview in a simulation. The aim is that you understand your own change and can explain it in your own words, not with sentences learned by heart.
In the free first call we clarify what to expect in your case. This does not replace legal advice.
Frequently asked questions about the alcohol MPU
Do I have to take an MPU after driving with 1.2 per mille?
Not automatically. Below 1.6 per mille, the authority can require an MPU if other facts point to alcohol misuse, for example no signs of impairment from 1.1 per mille, or earlier incidents. The authority decides case by case.
Does this also apply if I was riding a bicycle?
Yes. The 1.6 per mille limit applies to driving a vehicle, and that includes bicycles.
Do I need abstinence proof?
For many alcohol MPUs, yes, usually over 6 or 12 months. Sometimes a lasting controlled use of alcohol is enough. We clarify this in the first call based on your history.
How long does preparation take?
Often the abstinence proof sets the timetable. The preparation itself comprises 12 sessions of 60 minutes in the alcohol package.
