Abstract: Operating device for motor vehicles, in particular having an output cylinder and/or an input cylinder connected hydraulically to the latter. The operating device includes a housing, a cylinder arranged in the housing and a piston which can be moved back and forth in the cylinder between a rest dead point and an operating dead point. The position of the piston in the cylinder is rendered detectable by signals from at least one switch. As many switches as desired are integrated into an input cylinder, thus rendering it possible to interrogate the position of the piston via a switch unit either for a display or for data reconciliation.