The medical report on fitness to drive

In some cases, a medical report is required to confirm the fitness to drive for people with disabilities. This may be necessary due to visual impairments, amputations, addiction problems or psychological limitations. The driving license authority can request such a report if there are doubts about your fitness to drive. The examination can be carried out for medical and psychological reasons and aims to determine whether the person concerned can drive safely. The cost of a medical report can vary, depending on the type and extent of the examination. If the ability to drive a vehicle safely is in question, a recommendation for further investigation may be made.

Types of Medical Assessments for Fitness to Drive

The specialist medical report vs. routine check

Many people confuse this medical reports (äG) with the normal eye test or the examination for professional drivers. However, the äG ordered by the driving license authority is one Event-related assessment.

• When is it due? Usually when drugs are detected for the first time (without a direct journey), suspected drug abuse or chronic illnesses such as epilepsy or diabetes.

  

• The goal: The specialist with traffic medicine qualifications checks in accordance with Appendix 4 of the FeV (Driving License Ordinance) whether the illness permanently or temporarily restricts driving safety.

Specialized assessments for specific medical conditions

Specialized evaluations for specific conditions are more detailed examinations that target specific health problems or limitations. For example, individuals with visual impairments, neurological disorders, or addictions may require specialized medical evaluations to determine their fitness to drive. These exams often include specific tests and evaluations to determine whether someone can drive safely, despite their specific medical conditions.

Process: Get a medical report in 5 steps

When you receive the order from the authority, the clock is ticking. How to proceed:

1. Maintain deadlines: The authority usually sets a short deadline (often just a few weeks) to appoint an assessment body.

2. Choose location: You have a free choice of accredited assessment centers for fitness to drive (BfF). Your treating family doctor can usually carry out the report not create (bias).

3. Access to files: Find out in advance what is in your driving license file.

4. The appointment: Bring all current medical reports and medication plans with you.

5. The result: You receive the report and decide for yourself whether you want to forward it to the authorities (be careful with negative findings!).

Factors affecting the result of the medical examination

Which illnesses lead to the revocation of my driving license?

Not every diagnosis is the end of your driving license. Compensation is crucial. Annex 4 of the FeV states, among other things:

• Neurology: Epilepsy (usually 1 year freedom from seizures is required), Parkinson’s disease or severe dementia.

• Metabolism: Diabetes mellitus (especially if there is a tendency to severe hypoglycemia).

• Cardiovascular system: Severe cardiac arrhythmia or condition after a heart attack.

• Psychics: Severe depression or psychosis that clouds one’s judgment of reality.

• Substances: Dependence on alcohol or illegal drugs (especially methadone substitution).

Legal basis: Why is the authority allowed to demand this?

The legal basis is formed § 11 of the Driving License Ordinance (FeV). The authority must exercise “duty discretion”. This means: You may not request a medical report without reason, but you must do so if there are facts that suggest you are unsuitable.

• Important: An äG is often the “milder remedy” before the dreaded MPU. Anyone who cooperates here and provides clear medical facts can often avoid the more expensive MPU.

The pros and cons of mandatory health screenings for drivers

Advantages	Disadvantages
Improved traffic safety	Interference with personal freedoms
Preventive measures for health risks	Potential invasion of privacy

A dialogue about the benefits to public safety

Mandatory health screenings for drivers can improve road safety by identifying potentially dangerous drivers and taking appropriate action to prevent accidents.

The dilemma of personal freedom and privacy concerns

Mandatory health screenings often raise concerns about personal freedom and privacy. Some drivers feel their rights are limited while privacy questions are raised over the disclosure of sensitive health information.

It is important to find an appropriate balance that ensures public safety while respecting drivers’ privacy and personal freedoms.

How much does a medical report on fitness to drive cost?

The costs for a medical report are not set by law and depend on the effort involved (e.g. including urine screening). Calculate the following values:

• Simple report (e.g. in the case of physical defects): approx. 250 € to 450 €.

• Drug or alcohol issues: approx. 400 € to 800 €, as there are often additional laboratory costs for blood or urine analyzes.

• Additional costs: File inspection fees at the authorities (approx. 15-30 €) and possible fees for issuing a new driving license.

Differentiation from MPU: The medical report as a “small MPU”

Often a Medical report on fitness to drive colloquially referred to as a “small MPU” because, in contrast to the classic medical-psychological examination, the traffic psychology part is omitted. While an MPU is often intended to clarify behavioral doubts (such as repeated drunk driving), the focus of a medical report is on purely medical findings.

It is used to objectively assess the current physical or mental condition in relation to safe participation in road traffic. This difference is crucial for those affected, as the preparation here is based primarily on documentation of the state of health and, if necessary, laboratory evidence.

Assessment guidelines: Specific diseases according to Appendix 4 FeV

A central component for a positive Medical report on fitness to drive is the consideration of the official assessment guidelines for fitness to drive. These precisely determine the conditions under which fitness to drive can be maintained or regained in the case of chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus, epilepsy or after a stroke.

For example, after a first epileptic seizure, certain seizure-free observation periods often have to be demonstrated before a positive prognosis is possible. Specialists with traffic medicine qualifications check whether the illness is compensated for by medication or therapy in such a way that there is no risk to road safety.

Legal consequences of non-submission according to Section 11 Paragraph 8 FeV

Anyone from the driving license authority to provide one medical report on fitness to drive is requested should strictly adhere to the set deadlines. According to Section 11 Paragraph 8 of the Driving License Ordinance (FeV), if the report is refused or not submitted on time, the authority may immediately conclude that the person concerned is unsuitable.

This inevitably leads to the revocation or rejection of the driving license without further medical facts being checked. Timely action and the early appointment of an accredited assessment center are therefore essential in order to preventively protect your driving license.

Sources:

• Probative value of forensic medical assessment criteria for determining medication-related relative driving uncertainty (dissertation)
• Fitness to drive after neurological diseases (scientific work)
• Road safety and traffic medical assessment standards (specialist publication)

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FAQ

Who is allowed to provide a medical report on fitness to drive?

The examination must be carried out by a doctor with traffic medicine qualifications who is not the treating family doctor. As a rule, the assessment is carried out by specialists in assessment centers for fitness to drive (BfF) or doctors from the health department.

When does the driving license office order a medical report?

The order is usually made when chronic illnesses such as diabetes, epilepsy or heart disease become known, as well as one-off substance abnormalities that are not directly related to traffic. The aim is to dispel doubts about physical or mental suitability.

How much does a medical report on fitness to drive cost?

The costs vary depending on the question and the effort required, such as additional laboratory tests or drug tests. Those affected should find out about the individual fees from the assessment office in advance.

How long does the examination for the report take?

As a rule, participants should plan around two to three hours for the interview and physical examinations. For complex issues involving multiple illnesses, the time required may be correspondingly higher.

Which laboratory tests are carried out for drug-related questions?

Urine screenings, blood tests or hair analyzes are often used to detect or rule out the use of narcotics. These analyzes serve to prove abstinence or controlled use of medication.

Can I choose the doctor for the report myself?

The authority usually specifies which professional qualifications the doctor must have, but often gives the person concerned the choice between different accredited bodies. However, the treating doctor is generally excluded from preparing the report.

What happens if the medical report is negative?

A negative result means that the driving license authority will not consider you to be fit to drive and will revoke or not issue your driving license. In some cases, the report may also recommend a subsequent MPU as a further clarification step.

Are mental illnesses a reason for a medical report?

Yes, severe depression, psychosis or other mental disorders can cause concerns about resilience and impulse control in traffic. In these cases, the expert checks whether the symptoms have been stabilized under therapy in a way that is relevant to driving.

Do I have to specify medications in the report?

The regular intake of medication that has an effect on driving must be truthfully reported, as these can influence the ability to react. The doctor then assesses whether the medication limits the ability to drive or whether the treatment makes the ability possible.

Can I object to the ordering of the report?

The order itself is a preparatory action by the authorities and can usually not be challenged independently with an objection. Only against the decision based on this (e.g. revocation of the driving license) is ordinary legal action possible.