The Medical-Psychological Examination (MPU), also known as the “idiot test”, is a compulsory examination imposed by the competent authorities when someone has lost their driving licence due to serious traffic violations or other reasons.
In order to take the MPU, the driver concerned must first apply for a licence from the competent driving licence authority. This authority is usually the road traffic office of the driver’s place of residence. Admission will only be granted if the person concerned submits all the necessary documents, such as a medical certificate.
The MPU itself is carried out by a medical assessor appointed by the state road traffic office. The expert examines the state of health, fitness to drive and personality of the person concerned and then draws up an expert report which is submitted to the driving licence authority.
The driving licence authority then decides whether the person concerned is fit to drive again and whether his driving licence will be returned to him. If this is not the case, the person concerned must repeat the MPU.
As a citizen service, the driving licence authority usually offers advice and information on the MPU procedure and the requirements that are placed on the person concerned. It can also provide information on whether there are alternative measures to avoid the MPU, for example by attending a driving aptitude seminar.
Driving licence office
The procedure for the MPU at the driving licence office is usually as follows:
- Apply for admission: The driver concerned must apply for admission to the MPU at the competent driving licence authority, usually the road traffic office in his place of residence. To do this, he or she must usually submit a medical certificate and possibly other documents, depending on the reason for the driving licence withdrawal.
- Take the MPU: The MPU is conducted by a medical assessor appointed by the State Office for Road Traffic. The assessor checks the state of health, fitness to drive and personality of the person concerned and then draws up an expert opinion.
- Decision of the driving licence authority: The driving licence authority examines the expert opinion and decides whether the person concerned is fit to drive again and receives his driving licence back. If this is not the case, the person concerned must repeat the MPU.
The driving licence authority is responsible for conducting the MPU and, as a citizen service, offers the person concerned advice and information on the MPU procedure and the requirements that are placed on him or her. It can also provide information on whether there are alternative measures to avoid the MPU, for example by attending a driving aptitude seminar.
It is important to note that the MPU procedure may vary slightly from one federal state to another and may also change over time. It is therefore advisable to find out about the exact procedure and requirements from the relevant driving licence authority before the MPU.