For switching on an operating mode "playback, normal forward running", a recording and reproducing apparatus (1) for a drivable record carrier (3) has a playback servomechanism (29) which can be triggered by a playback button (23) and for switching on an operating mode "record, normal forward running" it has a record servomechanism (29') which can be triggered by a record button (24). Both servomechanisms (29, 29') have a driving component (39, 39'), a driven component (40, 40'), which can be brought into engagement with the driving part (39, 39'), for displacing at least one apparatus component (15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22) and a blocking component (49, 49') which can be displaced by the relevant button (23, 24) from a blocking position into a release position. Between the record button (24) and the blocking component (49) of the playback servomechanism (29) there is provided a coupling arrangement (62) via which, upon actuation of the record button (24), the blocking component (49) of the playback servomechanism (29) can be displaced. As a result, when the record button (24) is actuated both the record servomechanism (29') and the playback servomechanism (29) are triggered (FIG. 4).