An optical recording element (4) comprising a recording medium which includes an information recording area formed at every unit in a non-continuous condition, the recording medium further including sample (2) pits disposed at intervals of a fixed distance for providing basic information about the locations of the recording units in the same track. Each sample pit comprises a plurality of pits disposed next to the sequence of the recording units so that the spacing between the pits differs from the spacing between the recording units. At least one of the plurality of pits is a long-sized inclined pit which is inclined at an angle in the range of 6 DEG to 80 DEG to a recording track. A driving system for driving the optical recording element for recording information in the non-continuous recording area or erasing information stored therein with a light beam the output of which is varied as required and checking whether said recording or erasing has been correctly performed, within a very short time in which the light beam passes through the non-continuous recording area. By using the optical recording element in combination with its driving system, the processing speed can be greatly improved and the irradiating position of the light beam at every recording unit can be correctly controlled.