Where is it sufficient to use your parking lights while your car is parked on an unlit roadway?

In Germany, the use of parking lights is regulated by traffic rules to ensure visibility of parked vehicles. According to these regulations, it is sufficient to use parking lights when parked on unlit roadways in built-up areas and outside built-up areas as a safety measure.

When a vehicle is parked in a built-up area, the surrounding street lighting usually provides enough visibility, but parking lights are still recommended to enhance visibility to other road users. In contrast, on unlit roadways outside built-up areas, using parking lights is crucial as it helps signal the presence of the vehicle to approaching drivers, reducing the risk of accidents.

However, it is important to note that using parking lights on the hard shoulder of autobahns is not sufficient. In such situations, hazard warning lights are necessary for adequate visibility and safety due to the high speeds of traffic.

Understanding these distinctions plays a vital role in ensuring road safety and compliance with traffic laws.