An input shaft, a stepless speed change unit, a forward-reverse switching
mechanism, and an output shaft are arranged in that order in a power
transmitting path of a continuously variable transmission. The
forward-reverse switching mechanism includes i) a gear mechanism having a
sun gear which rotates in the same direction as the rotation output from
the stepless speed change unit, a carrier which is always fixed
(stationary), and a ring gear which rotates in the reverse direction, ii)
a clutch between the sun gear and the output shaft, and iii) a clutch
between the ring gear and the output shaft. This structure enables the
transmission of power between the gear mechanism and the stepless speed
change unit and the vehicle drive wheels to be interrupted by the
clutches when the vehicle is being towed or is stopped suddenly, and also
obviates the need for a brake able to withstand a large amount of torque.