Main sources of the vibration in gear driving system are transmission error and backlash. Transmission error is the difference of the rotation between driving and driven gear due to tooth deformation and profile error. Vibro-impacts induced by backlash between meshing gears lead to excessive vibration and noise in many geared rotation systems. Nonlinear dynamic characteristics of the gear driving system due to transmi- ssion error and backlash are investigated. Transmission error is calculated for spur gear. Nonlinear equation of motion for the gear driving system is developed with the calculated transmission error and backlash. Numerical analysis of the equation and the experimental results show the existence of meshing frequency, superharmonic compon- ents. Instability of the gear driving motion is found on the basis of Mathieu equation. Rattle vibration due to backlash is also discussed on the basis if nonlinear jump phenomenon.