Abstract: A device for driving a vehicle by magnetic levitation includes a synchronous long-stator motor, with a long stator winding extending along a track of the vehicle and subdivided into a plurality of discrete stator winding sections (3.11 to 3.19; 3.21 to 3.29). The vehicle which is movable on the track supports several fixedly mounted exciters cooperating with the stator winding sections. At least one section cable (17, 28) is arranged parallel to a portion of the track and each of its ends is connected to a power sub-station. The section cable has a plurality of consecutive tap points each being connectable via a switching device to an assigned stator winding section. The switching devices are activated when the vehicle runs over the corresponding winding section.