A lighting device for vehicles with an elongated light guide comprising an end face for the coupling-in of light, into which a light beam radiated from a light source can be coupled-in. The lighting device further comprises elements for the coupling-out of light for the deflection of the coupled-in light beam in the direction of a front skin surface of the elongated light guide, on which the light beam can be coupled-out for the generation of a given light function, such that the front skin surface of the elongated light guide is connected to a rear skin surface by means of a curved dispersion surface. At least one light directing element is arranged between a row of light sources and the light guide so that the light of the light sources arranged in a row can be coupled into the rear skin surface or the curved dispersion surface of the light guide.