A drive apparatus is disclosed which is designed to switch/excite a plurality of excitation windings of a stepping motor in a predetermined order. Periodic velocity fluctuation data of the stepping motor is stored in a memory unit in advance. An arithmetic unit reads out the velocity fluctuation data stored in the memory unit. The arithmetic unit outputs a pulse train whose pulse rate fluctuates to have a phase opposite to that of velocity fluctuation obtained from the velocity fluctuation data. This pulse train is used as switching timing signals for switching/exciting the plurality of excitation windings in a predetermined order.