Use of a mobile computer to control a driver information system

Method for use of a portable computer, especially a small computer or mobile phone, to control a vehicle onboard driver information system. The method has a learning mode in which information describing the user interface of the driver assistance system is transferred to the portable computer and portable computer then images the user interface based on the received information. In operating mode, commands are input to the portable computer which converts them into commands that can be interpreted by the driver assistance system and then transfers them to the driver assistance system.