A device for determining orientation of an object, including a measurement body, which reflects electromagnetic radiation and can be brought into physical contact with a surface of the object to determine the orientation. The device includes: a measurement carriage movable along the object during the determination of the orientation and which has a sliding surface that can be brought into physical contact with the object; a retaining unit which retains the measurement body and is connected to the measurement carriage so as to be pivotable between a maximal position, in which the measurement body protrudes beyond the sliding surface on the object side, and a minimal position, in which the measurement body does not protrude beyond the sliding surface on the object side; and a restoring device that applies a force to the retaining unit toward the maximal position.