The invention relates to a device for driving rotation of an aircraft wheel comprising a rim (4) mounted to rotate on an axle (2) of landing gear about an axis of rotation (X), the device comprising a drive ring gear (103) and a drive actuator (101) having an outlet pinion (102) that co-operates with the drive ring gear to drive the wheel in rotation. The drive ring gear is mounted to rotate about the axis of the rim of the wheel, the drive device including selective coupling means (150) that are operable to link the rim and the drive ring gears together in rotation, or to disconnect them.