Abstract: An apparatus for scanning an original includes a light source which is supported by a carriage movable in a scanning direction. A shield member is formed on the carriage. A first photointerrupter is provided at a home position of the carriage and a second photointerrupter is provided to a moving direction therefrom. When a forward going of the carriage is started from the home position and continued by a distance corresponding to the size of paper and/or the copy magnification, the light source is turned off and the carriage starts a returning movement. During the returning movement, the carriage travels further as far as the prescribed distance after the second photointerrupter being shielded by the shield member, thereafter a braking is applied on the carriage.