An apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes a torque converter including a lockup clutch, and a lockup controller configured to controllably move the lockup clutch from a released state in an engagement direction when the vehicle has just started. The apparatus further includes a rolling-down sensor configured to sense whether or not the vehicle that has just started has rolled down, and a lockup retarder configured to retard the movement of the lockup clutch in the engagement direction if the vehicle is sensed to have rolled down.