As a basic rule, what lights of a motor vehicle must be turned on when driving in darkness?

When driving in darkness, German traffic rules require that you always use your dipped headlights (also called low beam). Parking lights alone are not sufficient because they do not illuminate the road or make your vehicle clearly visible to others while driving. The main beam (driving beam) is only used in certain situations outside of towns, when there’s no oncoming traffic or vehicles ahead. So, for general nighttime driving, always turn on your dipped headlights as the basic rule. This ensures safety for you and for all other road users.