A vehicle engine starting apparatus that allows a driver to start an engine easily. The apparatus has a plurality of operation modes. The apparatus includes a starter motor, an ignition switch, and a control circuit. The ignition switch is pressed to generate an operation signal. The control circuit is connected to the starter motor and the ignition switch. The control circuit changes the current operation mode or activates the starter motor to start the engine depending on the nature of the operation signal. The control circuit judges whether to switch the operation modes of the electric system or to activate the starter motor depending on the duration of the operation signal,