To properly vary a delay time from starting to beginning of variable valve timing control (VCT control) according to the product tolerance, aging variation, etc. of a variable valve timing device.

At the time point when the delay time elapses after starting, the VCT control is begun and during the process in which actual valve timing reaches target valve timing by the VCT control, from whether or not the actual valve timing rapidly varies in an advance direction and exceeds the fastest operation track, the delay time is determined whether or not being insufficient. Then, when the delay time is determined to be insufficient, a time until the actual valve timing exceeds the fastest operation track after beginning of the VCT control is updated and stored in a backup RAM as a correction amount learning value of the delay time. The delay time is increased by the correction amount learning value when next starting.