A multi-stage transmission has driving gears m and driven gears n that mesh constantly and are supported on a hollow driven gear shaft. The driven gears n are individually engageable with and disengageable from the hollow driven gear shaft. Swing pawl members control engagement and disengagement between each of the driven gears n and the driven gear shaft, and cam rods inserted in the driven gear shaft to slide relative to the internal surface of the shaft to operate the swing pawl members. Gear shift driving member includes a shift drum, a control rod in sliding contact with the inner surface of the cam rods to axially move the cam rods, and a control rod operating element responsive to rotation of the shift drum to move the control rod. The control rod and the driven gear shaft are prevented from relative rotation by an anti-rotation mechanism.