A method for determining the position of a first actuating element of an electrical parking lock device of a motor vehicle, wherein the first actuating element is mounted on a spindle in an axially mobile manner, where the method includes a step in which the first actuating element is moved in an opening direction to a stop, the spindle is then rotated to move the first actuating element in a closing direction, the current input and the energy consumption of a driver are captured at this point, provision is then made for identifying a first reference point if the current input of the spindle drive increases or decreases by at least a first threshold value, the first reference point is assigned to the energy consumption that has been captured, where the first reference point corresponds to the first actuating element coming into contact with an actuating pawl.