The invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle. Said lighting device comprises a gas discharge lamp (1; 96) for emitting light, a starting device for providing a starting voltage for starting the gas discharge lamp (1; 96) and a control device for providing an input voltage for the starting device and an operating voltage for operation of the gas discharge lamp (1; 96). The control device is an integral part of the starting device. In order to come to grips with the problems associated with space and temperature with such lighting devices, the invention proposes that the combined starting and control device (5; 80) has a plug element (6) for connecting a vehicle power supply system voltage (7), the plug element (6) being in the form of a printed circuit board plug, which is formed by conductor tracks (21; 23) guided at an edge of a printed circuit board (20) of the starting and control device (5; 80).