Abstract: A drive device for an electric motor according to the present invention includes a first relay that turns a power supply line on and off leading from a power supply to an electric motor, a resistor provided on a bypass line that bypasses the first relay, a second relay that turns the bypass line on and off, a relay control circuit that outputs a relay control signal common to the first relay and the second relay, and a delay unit that delays the turn-on timing based on the relay control signal of the first relay later than the turn-on timing based on the relay control signal of the second relay. This configuration makes it possible to add a function for suppressing an inrush current without increasing the number of output connectors of a relay control circuit.