A method for operating a display device for a motor vehicle, which comprises a plurality of display surfaces (36, 38, 50-55), in which - in order to select at least one display element on a first display surface, a first input action of a user in the form of contact is detected, - in order to move the at least one selected display element at least once from the first display surface to at least one second display surface (36, 38, 50-54), at least one second non-contact input action of the user is detected, characterized in that the step of selecting the at least one display element comprises: • preselecting the at least one display element by tapping the at least one display element once, • visually highlighting the preselected at least one display element, and • confirming the preselected at least one display element by means of contact lasting at least a certain period of time or in the form of a repeated tap, and the moving of the at least one selected display element comprises a first movement step within the first display surface, a second movement step from the first display surface to the at least one second display surface (36, 38, 50-54), and a third movement step within the at least one second display surface (36, 38, 50-54), wherein • the first movement step is visualized on the first display surface, • the second movement step from the first display surface to the at least one second display surface (36, 38, 50-54) is visualized on the first display surface, and • the third movement step is visualized on the at least one second display surface (36, 38, 50-54). - in order to select at least one display element on a first display surface, a first input action of a user in the form of contact is detected, - in order to move the at least one selected display element at least once from the first display surface to at least one second display surface (36, 38, 50-54), at least one second non-contact input action of the user is detected, characterized in that the step of selecting the at least one display element comprises: • preselecting the at least one display element by tapping the at least one display element once, • visually highlighting the preselected at least one display element, and • confirming the preselected at least one display element by means of contact lasting at least a certain period of time or in the form of a repeated tap, and • preselecting the at least one display element by tapping the at least one display element once, • visually highlighting the preselected at least one display element, and • confirming the preselected at least one display element by means of contact lasting at least a certain period of time or in the form of a repeated tap, and the moving of the at least one selected display element comprises a first movement step within the first display surface, a second movement step from the first display surface to the at least one second display surface (36, 38, 50-54), and a third movement step within the at least one second display surface (36, 38, 50-54), wherein • the first movement step is visualized on the first display surface, • the second movement step from the first display surface to the at least one second display surface (36, 38, 50-54) is visualized on the first display surface, and • the third movement step is visualized on the at least one second display surface (36, 38, 50-54). • the first movement step is visualized on the first display surface, • the second movement step from the first display surface to the at least one second display surface (36, 38, 50-54) is visualized on the first display surface, and • the third movement step is visualized on the at least one second display surface (36, 38, 50-54).