Abstract: A highly dependable process and device for monitoring wear for a holding brake is performed via an electronically controlled brake test. A shaft which is drivable by a motor can be braked by the holding brake. A reference angular position which is to be traveled by the motor during the brake test and which deviates from the current actual angular position of the motor is preset along with a maximum limit torque to be applied by the motor during the brake test are preset for the motor. During the brake test, the actual angular position of the shaft is monitored to determine whether the shaft rotates. The existence of wear in the holding brake is evidenced by rotation of the shaft during the brake test.