Abstract: Each of the vehicle keys issued for a vehicle can be selectively authorized and blocked. A lost or stolen vehicle key can thus be selectively blocked, in which the vehicle still remains usable with the other vehicle keys. For each vehicle key, a use authorization can be stipulated in the form of an admissible number of uses or use duration. A pager receiver is provided in the vehicle, via which the key authorization information fed from the central office can be received and sent to a control unit, preferably a drive-away blocking control unit.