A solenoid driving circuit for an automatic transmission in which a potential difference compensating device, such as a Darlington-connected transistor circuit, switching transistor, and/or diode, is connected between a resistance element and a power ground, and a controlling device monitors voltage values at opposite sides of the resistor element so as to detect a current value flowing across a solenoid. The controlling device determines whether the detected value of the current flowing across the solenoid is abnormal, and the controlling device shuts off the current of a solenoid driving device when it is abnormal. The potential difference compensating device is provided with a switching device, and the controlling device turns off the switching device when the monitoring current value is abnormal. This circuit prevents an excessive current from flowing to the solenoid and an excessive discharge from the potential difference compensating device to the power ground owing to a short circuit with the supply line of a battery.