The control device according to the invention relates to a vehicle having an automatically opening and/or automatically closing flap, which comprises at least one programmable operating switch and a programmable electronic control unit, wherein the operating switch is in the form of a proximity sensor and is to be actuated in a randomly non-contact manner. Upon actuation, said switch generates an operating requirement signal, which is the input signal of the control unit. The control unit is programmed such that it outputs a pivot command to a closing mechanism for opening or closing the flap when the operating requirement signal and optionally at least one further condition is present. The control unit and/or the operating switch or proximity sensor are moreover programmed such that the operating requirement signals are counted as long as at least one first defined condition has not yet been met and that when a defined maximum counter reading has been reached, the operating requirement signals are ignored until at least one second defined condition has been met.