In order to retain a vehicle when starting uphill, vehicle speed (VREF), brake pedal actuation (BLS), starting moment (AM), state of operation of the vehicle engine (MO), actuation of a parking brake (FB) and actuation of the retaining system (EAS) are detected. When the retaining system is activated and the vehicle speed lies below a threshold value (VREF = 0), the braking power or pressure is maintained (case A) if the brake pedal is actuated and no starting moment is sensed. The braking power is increased (case B) when the driving engine is switched off (MO = 0) and neither the brake pedal (BLS = 0) nor the parking brake (FB = 0) are actuated, or when the engine is switched on (MO = 1) and neither brake pedal actuation (BLS = 0) nor starting moment (AM = 0) are detected. The braking power is reduced (case C) when the engine is switched off (MO = 0), the brake pedal is not actuated (BLS = 0) and the parking brake is applied (FB = 1) or when the engine is switched on (MO = 1) and a starting moment is sensed (AM = 1). When the vehicle speed exceeds the threshold value (VREF = 1) and/or the circuit breaker is actuated (EAS = 0), the retaining system is switched off. A warning signal (WN) may be triggered by means of a door contact (Tk) and/or seat contact (Sk).