A drive device for a hybrid electric vehicle is provided with an engine (2) connected to a planet carrier (C) of a planetary gear set (1), a first motor/generator (3) and drive wheels (8) connected to a ring gear (R), a second motor/generator (4) connected to a sun gear (S), and a battery (24) that is electrically connected to the first motor/generator (3) and to the second motor/generator (4). When a failure of the first motor/generator (3) or the second motor/generator (4) is detected, a controller (21) restricts rotation (S5, S105) of the second motor/generator (4), through a clutch (11), thus assuring running of the vehicle and charging of the battery (24) by engine output.