The present invention provides a disc drive apparatus capable of identifying a disc (12 cm) having a small data area (8 cm) in central as same as an ordinary 12 cm disc. The apparatus having a light receiving unit 105b and a push switch 106b. The unit 105b is arranged in a position where the unit 105b detects the disc having the small data area in central when the switch 106b detects the same, and where the unit 105b does not detect a disc (12 cm) having a hole (8 cm) in central when the 106b detects the same. The apparatus also has an disc identifier for identifying type of the disc based on the detected results of the light receiving units and/or the push switches.