A drive control apparatus and method for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine driving main drive wheels, an electric motor driving auxiliary drive wheels, and a clutch disposed between the electric motor and the auxiliary drive wheels. The drive control apparatus includes a drag motion detection section configured to detect that the electric motor undergoes a drag motion due to idle torque of the clutch, and a reverse torque control section configured to control torque of the electric motor in a direction reverse to a direction of the drag motion of the electric motor when the drag motion of the electric motor is detected by the drag motion detection section.