An operator control element (1) for selecting and setting a driving mode of the vehicle, wherein a rotational element (2) on the steering wheel of the vehicle is provided with a sensing element (3) which detects the rotation of the rotational element (2) and the stationary position of the rotational element, wherein the rotation of the rotational element can be sensed by counting the rotational steps, wherein a position and sequence of the rotational steps is assigned to each selectable driving mode, with the result that the driving modes are selected by rotating the rotational element to a stationary position and by counting the rotational steps when the rotational direction is detected.