An apparatus and method of driving a flat panel display device is disclosed, to prevent the appearance of afterimages on the flat panel display, the apparatus comprising an image displaying unit which includes a plurality of pixel cells in regions defined by a plurality of gate and data lines on a display panel; and an means formed on the display panel to be connected with the respective gate lines, wherein the means carries out an inspection or discharges electric charges from the image displaying unit when a system power is turned-off, wherein the electric charges are discharged from the image displaying unit by detecting the turning-off point of system power so as to remove the afterimage from the image displaying unit.