The present invention relates to a device for controlling electromagnetically operable valves of an electrohydraulic brake system for motor vehicles of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type having an electronic control or regulation unit that comprises at least one valve driver stage. In order to ensure maximum possible availability of the electronically controlled system functions, especially with a view to achieving a short stopping distance and a sufficient degree of vehicle stability regardless of the vehicle type or of whether the vehicle is loaded or unloaded, according to the present invention, the control and regulation unit includes two additional valve driver stages associated with which is a first and a second group of valves, the said driver stages being used to disable the first or the second group when malfunction occurs.