A control apparatus for a soil compacting apparatus such as a vibratory plate has a movable operating element for specifying a running direction of the soil compacting apparatus by way of an operator, and having a hydraulic master device, with a master cylinder, in which a master piston can be moved to and fro in a linear manner, in order to generate a hydraulic signal. A hydraulic connector serves for coupling hydraulic components of the soil compacting apparatus and for transmitting the hydraulic signal from the master device. A transmission device is provided for converting the movement of the operating element into a linear movement of the master piston, it being possible for the operating element to be moved between a first position (V) and a second position (R). The first position corresponds to a maximum forward movement of the soil compacting apparatus, and the second position corresponds to a maximum reverse movement of the soil compacting apparatus. A latching device is provided for releasably holding the operating element in a predefined position, for example the first position.