An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording sheet includes a recording head for recording the image on the recording sheet, a carriage for holding the recording head, the carriage being reciprocated along a convey route of the recording sheet, a motor for applying a drive force for conveying the recording sheet and a drive force for causing the recording head to move between a recording position where the recording head performs image recording and a retracted position where the recording head is retracted from the recording position, and a control unit for controlling the motor to switch between conveying the recording sheet and moving the recording head in accordance with movement of the carriage.