A method for controlling an automatic transmission by carrying out speed changes in a vehicle in accordance with predetermined characteristics, said characteristics including engine load and vehicle speed, and said method comprising the step of carrying out a non-creeping control. The non-creeping control is carried out by stopping a power transmission to, or decreasing a transmitting torque to, an output side of the transmission when braking apparatus is operated under an idling operating condition in which the vehicle is substantially stopped. The non-creeping control is continued once the non-creeping control has been started even if thereafter the braking apparatus ceases to be operating.