A method of and an apparatus for controlling the drive of a machine element of a spinning or twisting machine for exact positioning of the machine element at setpoint positions within a certain tolerance limit using motors which are not speed variable and are controlled by an on-off switch. The overshooting of the setpoint position can be detected and the measure of overshoot used as correction values for subsequent approaches to the setpoint position or to allow reverse approach to the setpoint with detection of overshoot beyond the tolerance and then a new approach with the iteration to a deviation less than the tolerance limit or a maximum number of cycles.