A creep phenomenon of an automotive vehicle is prevented by an arrangement which is provided with an anti-creep mode which is operative to change the gear automatically to a speed range having a relatively low speed reduction ratio when the vehicle is at rest. A double engagement within the transmission and resulting oscillations which would occur when a special operation is performed is prevented. At this end, a time delay is provided before shifting to the anti-creep mode when the vehicle is at rest and the throttle valve opening of an engine is equal to or less than a given value.