The present disclosure relates to an actuating mechanism (100) for actuating covers (102) for vehicles. The actuation mechanism (110) includes: a drive having a drive shaft; and at least one lever arm (101), which is connectable to the cover (102) and is configured so as to tap a rotational movement from the drive shaft when the drive is actuated and convert it into a movement of the cover (102). The lever arm (101) includes a drive surface (111), which communicates with the drive shaft such that a rotation of the drive shaft via the drive surface (111) is transferred to the lever arm (101). The drive surface (111) includes a first region (112) where a rotation of the drive shaft moves the lever arm in a first direction when the lever arm is in communication with the drive shaft via the first region (112), and wherein the drive surface (111) includes a second region (114) configured such that a rotation of the drive shaft moves the lever arm in a second direction when the lever arm communicates with the drive shaft via the second region (114).