A vehicle lighting unit can effectively utilize both the portions of the reflector divided by the plane passing through the optical axis even when a light emitting element with directionality like an LED is employed as well as can be provided with an enhanced aesthetic feature. The vehicle lighting unit can include a reflector having, as a front surface, a concave reflecting surface formed on the basis of a revolved parabolic surface with respect to an optical axis serving as a rotational symmetric axis; a reflecting plate disposed along the optical axis in front of the reflecting surface and having a rear edge disposed at or near the focal point of the reflecting surface so as to vertically divide a space in front of the reflecting surface into two regions; a light emitting element disposed in the upper region than the reflecting plate and in front of the focal point, directed to the focal point; and a condenser lens disposed between the light emitting element and the focal point, configured to collect light emitted from the light emitting element to a position at or near the focal point.