Abstract: A dowel setting device which can be employed together with a formless paving machine is described. A plurality of booms is pivotably disposed, looking in the direction of travel, ahead of the vehicle body and ahead of devices for tamping the concrete. Dowel retrievers are located at the ends of the booms. In a loading position, the dowel retrievers retrieve dowels from a magazine. Following a pivot movement, the dowel retrievers assume a setting position in which they extend, looking in the direction of travel, from the front into the area where the concrete is beginning to set. The dowels are ejected.