An automatically operated clutch (3) between a motor vehicle's engine (2) and gearbox (4) is moved by a hydraulic actuator (8), which acts on the clutch release, from a fully disengaged position through positions in which clutch slip occurs into a fully engaged position. A point of contact on the clutch at which transmission of engine torque begins is determined and the corresponding position of the actuator (8) stored. In the region above the contact point within which no torque is transmitted, the position of the actuator is adjusted by a position control circuit (70), while in the region below the contact point in which torque is transmitted, an engine speed control circuit (78) is superimposed on the actuator position control circuit. The engine speed at the point of contact is adjusted to a figure somewhat (approx. 50 r.p.m.) above the speed of the clutch (output) shaft. The actuator (8) is adjusted to the position corresponding to the contact point by the position control circuit (70) on which the speed control circuit (78) is superimposed.