An operating unit for arrangement on a steering wheel in a motor vehicle includes a plurality of operating elements of a first functional group and a plurality of operating elements of a second functional group. The operating unit also has a relief-like main body having a central plateau, an upper bevel and a lower bevel, wherein the operating elements of the first functional group are arranged in the central plateau and the operating elements of the second functional group are arranged in the upper bevel and the lower bevel.