An image forming apparatus includes a scanning means provided with a light source, a polygon mirror and a driving means for driving rotation of the polygon mirror; a photosensitive member, a developing means, and a detecting means for detecting a laser light from the light source. A controller controls to execute a light emission operation so that an area including an image forming area of the photosensitive member is irradiated with the laser light. The controller controls to execute a switching operation in which a rotational speed of the polygon mirror is switched from a first speed to a second speed different from the first speed. The controller controls to execute the light emission operation in a state in which the photosensitive member and the developing means are in contact and are rotating, and to execute the switching operation based on a detecting result of the detecting means in the light emission operation.