A device for driving switching elements is provided with a potential detector 29 which provides drive circuit 30 with signals in response to differences among potentials at junctions 17 to 20 of first and third resistors 13, 15, third resistor 15 and first control MOS-FET 8, second and fourth resistors 14, 16 and fourth resistor 16 and second control MOS-FET 9 so that drive circuit 30 supplies drive signals to a gate terminal of a first MOS-FET 1 based on potentials in first and second series circuits 11 and 12. When appropriate resistance values are selected for first to fourth resistors 13 to 16, potential detector 29 precisely detects the potential at each junction 17 to 20 to produce detection signals and prevent malfunction of drive circuit 30 even upon occurrence of abnormal signals or noises resulted from abrupt potential rise.