A motor control apparatus includes: a smoothing capacitor; an inverter circuit; a torque limiter; and a field-weakening control device. The smoothing capacitor smooths the direct current power. The inverter circuit converts the smoothed direct current power to alternating current power. The torque limiter limits motor torque based on a torque limit value calculated from a direct current voltage applied to the smoothing capacitor, limiting the motor torque in a power running direction to a first torque value when the direct current voltage drops to a first threshold. The field-weakening control device weakens a field and raises an induced motor voltage and the direct current voltage when the power running direction motor torque is limited to the first value. The torque limiter limits the power running direction motor torque to a second value greater than the first value when the direct current voltage rises from the first to a second threshold.