This autonomous vehicle operation apparatus is installed in an autonomous vehicle which has two automatic travel modes, a first automatic travel mode in which the vehicle travels without the operation of a driver and a second automatic travel mode in which the vehicle travels according to the operation of the driver. An operation section is set on the basis of the travel condition and the surrounding condition, and the autonomous vehicle is controlled so as to travel in the second automatic travel mode according to the operation of the driver while the autonomous vehicle is in the operation section.