An apparatus for driving LEDs using high voltage includes a plurality of LEDs divided into a plurality of LED segments connected in series with a switching voltage detector and a current limiting device. Each of the plurality of LED segments is connected in parallel with a switching device. A high input voltage supplies power to the apparatus. The switching voltage detector generates a first mode change signal when the input voltage increases and a second mode change signal when the input voltage decreases. A switch controller receives the two mode change signals and generates a plurality of switching control signals to respectively control the switching devices of the plurality of LED segments.