An apparatus for reading authorization cards with a bar code has a housing with
an insertion slot for inserting the card and at least one reading head in the housing
for scanning the bar code in a line perpendicular to the insertion direction of
the card. The space in the housing is formed to be so long that the card is insertable
further beyond the scan line of the reading head by a path (d) that is greater
than the distance (c) between the leading edge of the card and the end
of the bar code field facing away from the leading edge. This permits reading of
cards with different lengths (a) and different positions (c) of the bar
code field.
