Disclosed is a driving device for passage gates or thoroughfare gates and door or gate drives. Said driving device comprises a brushless DC servo motor to which a servo regulator is assigned. The output shaft of said DC servo motor is directly connected to the drive shaft of the locking element. The DC servo motor can be accurately regulated to a great extent regarding rotational speed, torque, etc. and can be adapted to different requirements via the servo regulator such that the same motor can be used for many different applications along with said servo regulator, i.e. a continuous drive system is created. Coupling gears and reduction gears, i.e. parts that are prone to malfunction and wear, can be dispensed with due to the fact that the locking element is directly driven, thus requiring less maintenance work at greater intervals.