Method for classifying driver movements in order to determine the driver alertness when driving a motor vehicle with a passenger compartment camera for recording at least one part of the driver, a movement variable which represents a head movement of the driver being evaluated based on the recording, and a driver movement being classified as a visual safety check if the movement variable corresponds to a defined condition, characterized in that the driver movement is classified as a visual safety check if a lateral head movement and a medial head movement are detected as movement variable, the lateral head movement being detected - if, starting from a first head orientation, a beginning of a head rotation in a first direction is determined, the beginning of the head rotation in the first direction being determined if the speed of the head rotation in the first direction corresponds to a defined first speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_1) or exceeds the defined first speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_1), - if, after the first speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_1) is reached, the speed of the head rotation in the first direction corresponds to a defined second speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_2) or exceeds the defined second speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_2), and - if, after the second speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_2) is reached or exceeded, a movement range of the head rotation in the first direction corresponds to a defined first movement threshold (Sp_Ampl_1) or exceeds the defined first movement threshold (Sp_Ampl_1); the medial head movement being detected - if, following the lateral head movement, a beginning of a head rotation in a second direction is determined, the beginning of the head rotation in the second direction being determined if a speed of the head rotation in the second direction corresponds to a defined third speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_3) or exceeds the defined third speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_3), - if, after the third speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_3) is reached or exceeded, the speed of the head rotation in the second direction corresponds to a defined fourth speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_4) or exceeds a defined fourth speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_4), and - if, after the fourth speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_4) is reached or exceeded, a movement range of the head rotation in the second direction corresponds to a defined second movement threshold (Sp_zero) or exceeds the defined second movement threshold (Sp_zero), or if the speed of the head rotation in the second direction undershoots a defined third speed limit (Sp_end_3). - if, starting from a first head orientation, a beginning of a head rotation in a first direction is determined, the beginning of the head rotation in the first direction being determined if the speed of the head rotation in the first direction corresponds to a defined first speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_1) or exceeds the defined first speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_1), - if, after the first speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_1) is reached, the speed of the head rotation in the first direction corresponds to a defined second speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_2) or exceeds the defined second speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_2), and - if, after the second speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_2) is reached or exceeded, a movement range of the head rotation in the first direction corresponds to a defined first movement threshold (Sp_Ampl_1) or exceeds the defined first movement threshold (Sp_Ampl_1); - if, following the lateral head movement, a beginning of a head rotation in a second direction is determined, the beginning of the head rotation in the second direction being determined if a speed of the head rotation in the second direction corresponds to a defined third speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_3) or exceeds the defined third speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_3), - if, after the third speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_3) is reached or exceeded, the speed of the head rotation in the second direction corresponds to a defined fourth speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_4) or exceeds a defined fourth speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_4), and - if, after the fourth speed threshold value (Sp_dyn_4) is reached or exceeded, a movement range of the head rotation in the second direction corresponds to a defined second movement threshold (Sp_zero) or exceeds the defined second movement threshold (Sp_zero), or if the speed of the head rotation in the second direction undershoots a defined third speed limit (Sp_end_3).