A method and a device for operating a vehicle provide a convenient and flexible function for limiting a performance quantity, in particular the speed or the engine speed of the vehicle. At least one limiting value is predefined for the performance quantity. The at least one limiting value is predefined at an input unit as a function of at least one criterion. A check is made to determine whether the at least one criterion is satisfied. The at least one limiting value is activated if the at least one criterion is satisfied.