Volkswagen Golf License Plate Bulb Size

The Volkswagen Golf license plate light requires bulb size 12961 or DE3423 depending on the specific vehicle configuration. Available data covers a range of years starting from 1993 through 2021.

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
2015-2021	12961
2000-2002	DE3423
1999	12961
1999	DE3423 (Late Model)
1993-1998	12961

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 12961 is a Philips part number designating a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12 volts and 5 watts. The wedge base design means the bulb is held in place by the socket itself rather than by a separate locking mechanism.
The DE3423 is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb with a 41mm length and end-cap contacts, rated at 12 volts. Festoon bulbs make electrical contact at both ends of the cylindrical body, which is a fundamentally different socket type from the wedge base used by the 12961.
Because the 12961 and DE3423 use incompatible base types, the two bulbs are not interchangeable. Installing the wrong type would require a socket adapter or would result in a non-functional fitment.
The Volkswagen Golf uses the 12961 across the 2015-2021 model years for the license plate position, representing a consistent fitment across that span.
The 2000-2002 Golf models specify the DE3423 festoon bulb for the license plate position, indicating a different lamp housing design compared to later generations.
The 1993-1998 Golf models specify the 12961 wedge bulb for the license plate position, the same part number used in the 2015-2021 range, though this does not imply socket compatibility across generations without physical verification.
The 1999 Volkswagen Golf is the only model year in these specifications that lists two distinct bulb sizes for the license plate position. Early 1999 production units take the 12961, while late 1999 production units take the DE3423, reflecting a mid-year housing change.
Owners of a 1999 Golf would need to determine their vehicle's production date or physically inspect the existing socket type before selecting a replacement bulb, as either the 12961 or the DE3423 may be correct depending on the specific unit.