The process according to the invention allows the adjustment of different damping characteristics of a motor vehicle damper taking into account the state of travel of the motor vehicle and damping requirement defining quantities depending on the travelling state according to an operating mode which can be preselected by the driver. The switch takes place as a function of a value of the total damping requirement determined from the instantaneous values of the damping requirement defining quantities according to a power function. The damping characteristic which is most desirable at each moment in time can be defined in real time. The process according to the invention can be used for various vehicles owing to adaptation of parameters which determine the power function.