A shift mistake detection apparatus detects an operation value of an accelerator pedal in a vehicle and a shift range selected by a shift operation of a driver of the vehicle (e.g. reverse, drive, park). The apparatus detects a shift mistake operation when (i) the shift range selected by the shift operation is in a reverse range and the vehicle begins to travel in reverse according to an operation of the accelerator pedal, and (ii) a steep step operation and a steep return operation of the accelerator pedal is detected. The steep step and return operations of the accelerator pedal have an operation value that is greater than or equal to a normal operation value, where the normal operation value may be a value detected when a driver of a vehicle intentionally travels in reverse (i.e., there is no shift mistake).