A method of controlling speed changes in a hydraulically actuated type multiple-stage speed change gear, which renders it possible to prevent the occurrence of "shift hunting" without impairing the acceleration characteristics of the vehicle and also reduce the magnitude of shocks which occur at the time of speed changes even in case hydraulic clutches of small capacity are used. According to this method of controlling speed changes, a controller (30) is used to conduct speed changes when conditions for speed changes, i.e., upshift/downshift are satisfied, and in cases where a downshift is made after an upshift and an upshift is made after a downshift, speed changes are conducted after the lapse of a long speed change inhibiting time, and in other cases than the aforementioned, speed changes are conducted after the lapse of a short speed change inhibiting time. Further, only in case the vehicle is decelerated from a high speed stage to a coasting speed, deceleration operations are conducted with a direct coupled clutch (8) of the torque converter (3) kept in engaged condition, and in other cases than the aforementioned, speed changes are conducted with the direct coupled clutch kept in released condition.