A distance measuring device having an improved control performance in a compact body by simplifying a structure for scanning a laser beam and a method of controlling the scanning. The device has a mirror for scanning an emitted laser beam, an axis around which the mirror is swung, a permanent magnet which swings along with the mirror, a core disposed opposite to the permanent magnet, a coil provided in the periphery of the core, a Hall element for detecting a swing angle of the mirror, and a circuit for controlling swing motion with a signal derived from a swing waveform formed in a predetermined shape in order to control a current in the coil, and a control signal formed by a controlled variable calculated from a deviation between a predetermined position of the mirror and a detected position.