Method for operating a drive device for a motor vehicle and corresponding drive device

A method for operating a drive device for a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine and a dual clutch transmission, wherein the dual clutch transmission has a first input shaft, a second input shaft, and an output shaft, and the first input shaft is connected via a first sub-transmission and the second input shaft is connected via a second sub-transmission to the output shaft, and wherein the internal combustion engine is connected via a first shift clutch to the first input shaft and via a second shift clutch to the second input shaft, comprising:

• in a starting operation of the drive device directed at a startup of the motor vehicle, an electric machine coupled to the first input shaft is used, when the first shift clutch is at least partially engaged and the first sub-transmission is disengaged, and when the second shift clutch is at least partially engaged and the second sub-transmission is engaged, for providing at the output shaft a starting torque used for starting the internal combustion engine and a drive torque directed at startup of the motor vehicle, and/or wherein, in the starting operation, the internal combustion engine is operated, when the second shift clutch is at least partially engaged and the second sub-transmission is engaged, for driving an electric generator and for providing the drive torque at the output shaft, and electrical energy supplied by means of the generator is used for the additional driving of the output shaft by an electric motor coupled to the output shaft.