A vehicle steering apparatus with improved safety securely detects whether or not a backup system is operable and comprises a steering shaft connected to the steering wheel; a reaction actuator connected to the steering shaft for adding a reaction force; a rack for steering a steered wheel; a steering actuator provided on the rack; a backup mechanism for connecting the steering shaft and the rack via a clutch, a first detection means or mechanism for detecting the condition of the steering shaft, a second detection means or mechanism for detecting the condition of the rack, and a backup operation monitoring means or mechanism for driving the steering actuator when the power source is energized, the backup operation monitoring means or mechanism selectively monitoring the operation of the backup mechanism based on the value detected by the first detection means or mechanism or the second detection means or mechanism or both.