A process for testing a data transmission system by which data are transmitted by way of two data transmission links and by way of a first transmission device and a second transmission device provides that a test loop is closed, in dependence upon a loop signal, and a transmission section is tested. Data are transmitted in data blocks and each block includes a status bit, a synchronizing bit and n data bits. The loop signal is formed from a given combination of the status bit and data bits, and at least one of the data bits is inverted before being returned to the second transmission device.