Abstract: A central operating input and information output system for the control of a plurality of optional instruments in a vehicle has a display for displaying information and an option menu. A first control input controls the functions of the optional instruments and selects the option menu from a basic menu. The option menu indicates the functions of the optional instruments controllable by the first control input. The system has a second control input which controls at least one optional instrument and accesses at least one basic function of the system, irrespective of the option menu currently selected. This allows a central operating input and information output system to have a favorable ergonomic design, to be operated simply, and require a minimum of space.