a method and device for activating and deactivating a valet parking function for a motor vehicle is provided . an activated valet parking function prevents access to one or more lockable areas in the motor vehicle . the method including the steps of checking whether a freely operable control element has been actuated . if the actuation of a control element has been detected , the valet parking function is activated to prevent exclusively the access to the lockable area in the motor vehicle , particularly to a trunk .