The invention concerns a method (70) for preparing an operating signal for a motor vehicle (1), the method involving the following steps: (a) obtaining a signal indicating that an authorized user (10) has been authenticated; (b) monitoring an actuating region (22) located outside the motor vehicle (1) by means of an optical sensor system (30); (c) measuring a distance (a) between an object (18) in the actuating region (22) and an optical sensor (50) by means of the optical sensor system (30); (d) comparing the distance (a) with a default by means of the optical sensor system (30); and (e) preparing an operating signal if the default is satisfied.