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

When driving in darkness in Germany, the law specifies that you must have your dipped headlights turned on. This is essential for your visibility and the visibility of your vehicle to other road users. Dipped headlights help reduce glare for oncoming traffic while providing enough light for you to see the road clearly.

Using only parking lights is not sufficient for driving, as they do not provide adequate illumination for safe driving conditions. Additionally, the driving beam is typically used when there are no oncoming vehicles to avoid dazzling other drivers. Thus, it's critical to always use dipped headlights when on the road in darkness to comply with traffic regulations and ensure safety.