While driving at night, when can you use parking lights instead of headlights?

Using parking lights instead of headlights while driving at night is not permitted. Headlights are designed to illuminate the road ahead, making it easier to see obstacles, pedestrians, and other vehicles. Parking lights are intended for indicating a vehicle's presence when it is parked on the side of the road, particularly in low visibility conditions. They do not provide sufficient illumination for driving safely at night.

In areas lacking street lighting or when driving near other vehicles or in residential areas, it becomes even more crucial to use headlights for adequate visibility. Driving with only parking lights can create dangerous situations because it limits your ability to see and be seen by others on the road. Therefore, the proper and safest choice is to use headlights at all times when driving at night, reinforcing the idea that parking lights should never be used in place of headlights.