A pick roller picks a sheet stacked in a hoper and transports the sheet toward a separating section at which a separator roller and a brake roller is provided. The separator roller and the brake roller transport the sheet one by one. A first unit is provided on the brake roller and is adapted to detect a rotation of the brake roller. A second unit is provided in the separating section and is adapted to detect a speed of the sheet. A controller is operable to determine an entry state of the sheet with respect to the separator roller based on presence or absence of the sheet in the separating section determined from the speed of the sheet in the separating section and whether or not the brake roller is rotating, and to optimally control a force acting in separation for the sheet.