Abstract: The invention relates to a drive for magnetic tapes, wherein the tape is driven in the fast rewind and fast forward modes off a reversible electric motor which is concurrently and constantly connected to two spindles wherearound the tape coils and decoils, and wherein a means is provided for automatically engaging for rotation the electric motor with that spindle which rotates in a direction such as to wind up the tape, and a friction clutch device which in the recording and playing modes compensates for the differential between the tape speed and the spindle speed as driven by the electric motor, whereas in the fast forward mode it locks automatically.