To drive a selector valve in proper timing, without degrading exhaust emission in an exhaust passage changeover device for an internal combustion engine.

This exhaust passage changeover device is provided with the selector valve 34 changing over a communication passage provided between a first exhaust pipe 18 and a second exhaust pipe 22 to a bypass passage 32, provided with HC adsorbing agent 36 and to a main passage 30 bypassing the adsorbing agent 36. The exhaust passage on the upstream side of the selector valve 34 is provided with a start catalyst 20 purifying exhaust gas. The temperature of the start catalyst 20 is detected. When the temperature reaches a temperature allowing activation of the start catalyst 20, the selector valve 34 is driven, so that the communication passage is changed over from the bypass passage 32 to the main passage 30.