Control device for a vehicle headlamp system

The control device (10) has a navigation device (14) for detecting geographical position data and a control unit (16) for adapting the lighting characteristic of vehicle headlamp system (12) depending on detected geographical position data. The lighting characteristic is adjusted in accordance with fixed preset lighting settings, when headlamp system is operated on public roads. The illumination pattern is adjusted with respect to driver's side of predetermined backlight settings, based on the detected position data.