A method for driving a display panel to produce an efficient sustain discharge is provided. In one embodiment, the display panel includes a plurality of scanning electrodes that are driven by a sustain discharge signal. A corresponding plurality of common electrode groups is driven individually by different sustain discharge signals. Sustain discharge is performed by alternately applying high level sustain pulses to each the plurality of scanning electrodes and each the plurality of common electrode groups. Sustain pulses with a high level are applied sequentially to each the plurality of common electrode groups in time intervals between the sustain pulses with the high level applied to the plurality of scanning electrodes. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a duty rate of a sustain discharge signal near 50% while reducing a peak value of currents generated upon sustain discharge driving, thereby achieving stable sustain discharge.