Volkswagen Dasher License Plate Bulb Size

The Volkswagen Dasher license plate light requires 3893 and 1895 bulb sizes for the rear illumination housing. Data for the specified components covers the period from 1974 through 1981.

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
1978-1981	3893
1974-1977	1895

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament bulb with BAY15d bayonet base, specialty application. 12V.	3893
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T5). 12V, 0.9W.	1895

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Volkswagen Dasher license plate bulb specification splits across two distinct bulb types over its production run, with the 1895 used in 1974-1977 models and the 3893 used in 1978-1981 models.
The 3893 is an ANSI-standardized bulb operating at 12V, constructed with a BAY15d bayonet base and a dual-filament design, classifying it as a specialty application bulb.
The BAY15d base on the 3893 features two offset pins at different heights, a physical trait that prevents incorrect insertion and distinguishes it from single-filament bayonet types.
The 1895 is an ANSI-standardized T5 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 0.9W, a low-wattage output consistent with its use in a small illumination role such as a license plate lamp.
The T5 designation on the 1895 refers to a tubular bulb form with a width of five-eighths of an inch, a common sizing convention in miniature automotive lighting.
The two bulb types are not interchangeable. The 3893 uses a BAY15d bayonet base while the 1895 uses a wedge base, meaning the socket design differs between the earlier and later Dasher model years.
Both the 3893 and 1895 carry ANSI standardization applicable to the US and Canadian markets, indicating conformance to recognized North American automotive lighting specifications.
The dual-filament construction of the 3893 is atypical for a license plate application, as license plate lamps generally require only a single filament for steady illumination.