A method and device for influencing the longitudinal velocity of a motor vehicle, in which a setpoint minimum distance and/or a setpoint maximum velocity is presettable by the driver, the driver being able to influence the vehicle velocity via the accelerator pedal and/or brake pedal, and in which the distance from a vehicle traveling ahead is measured by a distance-measuring sensor and, if the setpoint minimum distance is undershot and/or the setpoint maximum velocity is exceeded by the vehicle velocity, the vehicle velocity is limited so that the setpoint minimum distance is not undershot and/or the setpoint maximum velocity is not exceeded. This function is provided, in particular, in connection with an adaptive distance and cruise control system, the driver being able to activate either the adaptive distance and cruise control system or the limiting function.