Abstract: In an apparatus and method for operating a motor vehicle having a driver request detection means for a predefined value of a set point driving speed, a brake device with brake pressure detection means, a driving speed detection means for detecting an actual driving speed, and a control unit for controlling operation of the vehicle, means are provided for triggering a safety reaction of the control unit if a detected actual driving speed is below a defined stationary state limit value, and the predefined speed request value and the brake pressure simultaneously exceed limit values assigned to them in order to prevent operation of the motor vehicle in a way that may cause damage to the motor vehicle drive components.