To enhance an original reading speed in the case of reading several originals.

The image forming apparatus is provided with a reading device 15 for reading the original placed on an original reading position, a driving motor 10 for moving the reading device 15 backward and forward, a braking start position detecting sensor 11 for detecting the start position of braking the reading device 15 in order to stop the reading device 15 driven by the driving motor 10 in the backward direction when the original reading operation is finished, a brake for stopping the reading device 15 when the reading device passes through the sensor 11, and a reading device position detecting sensor 12 for detecting whether or not the reading device 15 driven by the driving motor 10 in the forward direction stands in the original reading start position in order to read the following original after a lapse of prescribed time after stopping the reading device 15 by the brake.