To obtain a motor control unit which can control a motor without having to conduct troublesome operations of a power source switch.

While a motor is operated (step 100), it is judged whether a a no-load state is continuing (steps 110, 120). When the no-load state continues for a specified time, outputting a gate signal by a drive circuit is stopped, and driving a DC motor is stopped (step 130). When the motor is not operated (step 100) if the DC motor is rotated with an external force (step 140), it is judged that a user is about to use the motor, and a gate signal is outputted to a triac via the drive circuit 24, and the DC motor is made to start (step 150).