a steering system for a motor vehicle , which allows steer - by - wire operation , a hand - torque actuator being connected in the steer - by - wire mode to a steering handle , e . g . a steering wheel , to simulate a steering resistance or a restoring torque . in order to be able to ensure adequate operating safety for the vehicle if the hand - torque actuator fails , even if the steering system is operated on a steer - by - wire basis , damping means are provided , which damp adjusting movements of the steering handle by the driver in the steer - by - wire mode if the hand - torque actuator fails .