Lighting device for a motor vehicle headlamp, which lighting device comprises the following: - a plurality of light sources arranged in rows next to one another, which are provided for generating at least one overall light distribution (GLF, GLA), which is formed by overlapping an apron light distribution and at least one partial light distribution, the light sources being divided into at least one first and one second group (110, 130) each having at least two light sources, the at least one first group being provided for generating the apron light distribution of the at least one overall light distribution (GLF, GLA), and the at least one second group being provided for generating the at least one partial light distribution, - the at least one first and second group (110, 130) each being assigned a drive unit (210, 220), each drive unit (210, 230) being connected to the light sources of its group (110, 130) via connecting lines and being set up to drive the light sources individually - a control unit which is connected to the drive units (210, 230) and is arranged to receive drive data and to transmit to the drive units (210, 230) which drive units drive the light sources of the at least one first and second group (110, 130) as a function of the received drive data, - wherein an emergency control can be stored in each of the control units (210, 230), with which emergency control a predeterminable control of the light sources of a group assigned to the respective control unit is activated, - wherein, in the event of a loss of connection between the control unit and at least one drive unit (210, 230), the emergency control of the drive units is activated, wherein exclusively an apron light distribution is generated via the group of light sources correspondingly provided therefor. - a plurality of light sources arranged in rows next to one another, which are provided for generating at least one overall light distribution (GLF, GLA), which is formed by overlapping an apron light distribution and at least one partial light distribution, the light sources being divided into at least one first and one second group (110, 130) each having at least two light sources, the at least one first group being provided for generating the apron light distribution of the at least one overall light distribution (GLF, GLA), and the at least one second group being provided for generating the at least one partial light distribution, - the at least one first and second group (110, 130) each being assigned a drive unit (210, 220), each drive unit (210, 230) being connected to the light sources of its group (110, 130) via connecting lines and being set up to drive the light sources individually - a control unit which is connected to the drive units (210, 230) and is arranged to receive drive data and to transmit to the drive units (210, 230) which drive units drive the light sources of the at least one first and second group (110, 130) as a function of the received drive data, - wherein an emergency control can be stored in each of the control units (210, 230), with which emergency control a predeterminable control of the light sources of a group assigned to the respective control unit is activated, - wherein, in the event of a loss of connection between the control unit and at least one drive unit (210, 230), the emergency control of the drive units is activated, wherein exclusively an apron light distribution is generated via the group of light sources correspondingly provided therefor.