A pressure limiting valve has a valve closing member (ball), which is subjected to a hydraulic opening force and is indirectly subjected to a closing force generated by a compression spring which avoids hysteresis that impairs the switching behavior of the pressure limiting valve. A tappet, which passes through a sealing ring and is exposed to a control pressure, is also capable of acting in a closing manner upon the pressure limiting valve. When there is no operative control pressure, the tappet is pushed back by the opening of the pressure limiting valve and is retained in this position by frictional forces brought about by a sealing ring. The switching plays of the pressure limiting valve are free of frictional forces. The pressure limiting valve is suitable for use in hydraulic motor vehicle brake systems.