Chevrolet Impala License Plate Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Impala license plate light uses bulb sizes 12961, 194, 168, 97, 67, and 1155 depending on the specific production era. Available information covers the range from 1958 through 2020.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
2014-2020	12961
2000-2013	194
1994-1996	194
1977-1985	194
1974-1976	168
1972-1973	97
1968-1971	67
1966-1967	1155
1958-1965	67

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	97
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Lower wattage variant of 1156. 12V, 8W.	67
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 21W.	1155

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Chevrolet Impala license plate position uses five distinct bulb types across its production history: the 12961, 194, 168, 97, 67, and 1155.
The 194 is an ANSI-standard T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 3.78W, and it is the most frequently specified bulb across the Impala's license plate fitment data, covering model years 1977-2013 with some gaps.
The 12961 is a Philips-designated T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. The Chevrolet Impala (2014-2020) uses this bulb for the license plate position.
Both the 194 and 12961 share the T10 wedge form factor, though they differ in wattage and base designation. Substitution between these two types warrants caution, as the 12961 carries a Philips-specific part number rather than a universal ANSI designation.
The 168 is an ANSI-standard T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 4.9W, placing its output between the 194 and the 12961. It is specified for the 1974-1976 model years.
The 67, 97, and 1155 all use the BA15s single-contact bayonet base, making them physically interchangeable in terms of socket fitment, though their wattage ratings differ substantially: 8W for the 67, 13W for the 97, and 21W for the 1155.
The 1155 is the highest-wattage bulb in these specifications at 21W, and it is specified only for the 1966-1967 model years in the license plate position.
The 67 bulb covers the widest span of years among the BA15s-base types, appearing across 1958-1965 and 1968-1970, while the 97 is limited to 1972-1973.
The BA15s bayonet base used by the 67, 97, and 1155 is mechanically distinct from the wedge base used by the 194, 168, and 12961, meaning these two groups are not interchangeable regardless of voltage rating.
All bulbs specified across the Impala license plate position operate on a 12V electrical system, consistent with standard automotive electrical architecture.