A method of automatically controlling a neutral position and parking lock of an motor-vehicle transmission to immobilize the vehicle depending on a drive position of the transmission selected by the driver with a selector device and subject to other operating parameters of the motor vehicle. Only when simultaneously the vehicle is essentially stationary, an ignition circuit is electrically interrupted and the selector device is in a “Neutral” position, can an Neutral-holding phase be activated, in which the transmission is in a non-frictionally engaged neutral position as long as the parking lock of the transmission has not yet been engaged. If the Neutral-holding phase has not been activated, the transmission remains non-frictionally connected in the Neutral position until the driver at least intends to exit the vehicle, at which time the parking lock of the transmission is automatically engaged.