An on-load tap changer for uninterrupted changeover between winding taps of a tapped transformer has a separate selector for power-free preselection of the winding tap to be switched to, a separate load changeover switch for the actual load changeover from the previous to the preselected new winding tap, a rotatable drive shaft, and a force accumulator with at least one force-accumulator spring that for each load changeover is initially stressed by the drive shaft and after triggering thereof abruptly actuates the load changeover switch. A gear operatively connected with the drive shaft can load the force accumulator. A first mechanical freewheel between the gear and the force accumulator temporarily decouples the force accumulator from rotation with the drive shaft in such a manner that the force accumulator can be stressed with a delay in time after the start of actuation of the drive shaft.