A recording apparatus includes a belt conveyor unit that can be switched between a first state in which at least a portion of the belt outer surface of a conveyor belt is located at a recording position at which a line head performs recording and a second state in which the belt outer surface is located more distant than the recording position from the line head. The recording apparatus also includes a wiping device that is in contact with the belt outer surface and wipes the belt outer surface. The belt conveyor unit is switched from the second state to the first state after carrying out of a preliminary operation in which the conveyor belt is moved over a predetermined distance in a reverse direction opposite to a normal direction in which the conveyor belt transports a sheet.