A method for operating illumination of a motorized transportation vehicle wherein a light appearance is produced, which extends over at least a large portion of a width of the motorized transportation vehicle. The light appearance becomes visible at least for a transportation vehicle driver when the motorized transportation vehicle is switched on and is subsequently changed to display a driving readiness of the motorized transportation vehicle. In this way, a very pronounced, brand-individualizing visualization of the driving readiness becomes possible, which is easily perceived by the transportation vehicle driver.