A method for determining the ability of a vehicle user to react in the automated driving mode of a vehicle uses detected image data of a driver monitoring camera. Using digital map data present in the vehicle and/or sensor data detected by the vehicle, it is determined whether at least one specified relevant object in a momentary vehicle environment is located in the field of vision of the vehicle user. For at least one detected specified relevant object in the momentary vehicle environment, detected image data of the driver monitoring camera is used to determine a duration and/or frequency the vehicle user directs their gaze to the detected relevant object. When a determined duration falls short of a specified minimum duration and/or when a determined gaze change frequency falls short of a minimum frequency, the ability of the vehicle user to react is evaluated as not given.