An automatic transmission for a vehicle a shift pattern, restricting the movement of a shift lever, including at least an H-shaped portion. When the shift lever has been moved to any shift position of the pattern, a range and a gear ratio which corresponds to the shift position are selected. When the shift lever is released from the shift position in the lowest stage, the gearing is shifted to the ratio which is higher than the lowest stage by one step. When the shift lever is released from the shift position in the highest stage, the gearing is shifted to the ratio which is lower than the maximum stage by one step. When the shift lever is moved to a position intermediate the shift positions, the range and the gear ratio which correspond to the shift position before the movement can be maintained or the automatic transmission range can be established. The switching between the previous stage maintaining function and the automatic transmission drive mode selection function is made by determination of whether or not the driver is operating the shift lever.