Abstract: A tape drive mechanism for a video tape recorder and an audio tape recorder. The tape drive mechanism automatically corrects the position of tape in the width-wise direction thereof without mechanically restricting the edge of tape. Sensors (8) and (8) on a tape path detect a dislocation of the tape (7) from a reference running position that may develop in the width-wise direction of the tape (7), a tape guide post (1) for attracting the tape (7) is moved in the width-wise direction of the tape, or inclination of a tape guide post (41) is changed to move the tape (7) in such width-wise direction by means of actuators (2), (42) and (62) that give corresponding displacement based on the values detected by the sensors (8) and (8), or the reel plate (57) is moved in the direction of width of tape to move the tape (7) together with the reel (24). The tape (7) having a small thickness is prevented against vertical movement on the tape path and is permitted to run stably without damaging the edges of the tape.