Apparatus for using an a.c. power supply to bidirectionally drive a d.c. motor includes a first silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) having a cathode connected to a terminal of the motor and an anode connected to a circuit common junction. A second SCR has an anode connected to the motor terminal and a cathode connected to the common junction. An amplifier circuit including a PNP transistor connected in a common base configuration is connected between the gate of the first SCR and the common junction for selectively enabling or disabling the first SCR. Separate means are provided for selectively applying a signal to the amplifier circuit or to the gate of the second SCR for enabling the rotation of the motor in a first or second direction.