The present application relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle in an activated at least semi-autonomous driving mode, with the motor vehicle comprising a control unit which controls the motor vehicle in the at least one activated semi-autonomous driving mode. A detection device arranged in the motor vehicle detects at least one motor vehicle occupant (step S1). An authorization device linked to the detection device checks whether at least one of the at least one detected motor vehicle occupants meets at least one authorization criterion (step S2). If this is the case, the authorization device generates an enable signal (step S3a) and sends it to the control unit, which then activates the at least semi-autonomous drive mode (step S4). If the at least one authorization criterion is not met, the authorization device sends out an inquiry signal to an authorization device external to the vehicle (step S3b) and, depending on the external release signal received in response to the inquiry signal, forwards the enable signal to the control unit.