A device for reading out an exposed imaging plate, having a light source producing a read-out light, a deflecting unit sequentially directing the read-out light at the imaging plate with a read-out spot in order to read out the imaging plate, whereby a traveling read-out spot can be produced there, a detector unit for fluorescent light, which is emitted by the imaging plate during the reading out by means of the read-out light, and a control device for controlling the light source, the deflecting unit, and the detector unit. The control device performs a preliminary read-out of the imaging plate in order to determine read-out parameters and to subsequently read out the imaging plates using the determined read-out parameters. A method for reading out an imaging plate reading out part of the information on the imaging plate surface, determining read-out parameters on the basis of the read-out part of the information, and reading out the remaining part of the information of the imaging plate surface using the read-out parameters.