The invention relates to an on-load tap changer for switching between winding taps of a step transformer without interruption, comprising a separate selector for preselecting the winding tap to be switched to without control current, and a separate load transfer switch for actually transferring the load from the previous to the preselected new winding tap. The invention further relates to an energy store having at least one energy store spring that is first tensioned for each load transfer by a rotating drive shaft and that abruptly actuates the load transfer switch after being triggered. According to the invention, a gear is provided by means of which the energy store can be tensioned after mechanical freewheel is provided between the gear and the energy store, such that the energy store can be tensioned after a time delay, and a further mechanical freewheel (17) is provided between the energy store and a step-by-step motion linkage actuating the load transfer switch.