To provide an image forming apparatus that uses the drive transmission mechanism of a stepping motor, capable of preventing trouble due to fluctuations in the load on a motor at connection with an electromagnetic clutch, capable of coping with the occurrence of excessive load at abnormality times by reducing the resistance of a transmission member, and is capable of miniaturizing the apparatus and reducing the manufacturing cost.

In the image forming apparatus employing a stepping motor 1 as a drive source and comprising a drive transmission mechanism X, between the drive source and a plurality of loads 3 and 4, the drive transmission mechanism X incorporates a clutch 2, and a control means controls the number revolution of the stepping motor 1 at the connection of the clutch 2.