A motor control apparatus controls a start/stop operation of a motor and includes a counting unit that performs a count-up or count-down operation from a predetermined initial value with a lapse of time in response to receiving an operation start instruction for the motor; a signal output unit that outputs a first state signal in response to receiving the operation start instruction, and outputs a second state signal only when a result of the counting by the counting unit falls outside a predetermined range; and a drive unit that outputs an ON signal to the motor in response to receiving the first state signal from the signal output unit, and outputs an OFF signal to the motor in response to receiving the second state signal from the signal output unit.