An actuating device for actuators, such as switching, throttle or swirl flaps, in internal combustion engines for motor vehicles comprises a shaft connected with an actuating motor. The shaft is connected with an actuator, such as a switching flap or the like. In a predetermined position relative to the shaft two pin-type magnets are arranged and preferably connected with a partly toothed gearwheel. When the shaft is rotated, the pin-type magnets move relative to a preferably fixed magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor is a linear Hall sensor. Provision of a linear Hall sensor allows three different shaft positions to be determined. The positions are the two shaft positions defined by the pin-type magnets in which the magnets are arranged opposite the Hall sensor, and a position in which the location of the pin-type magnets does not allow the Hall sensor to detect a magnetic field. In the latter position the linear Hall sensor has a defined bridge voltage.