Volkswagen Squareback License Plate Bulb Size

The Volkswagen Squareback license plate light requires a bulb size of 97 for the rear exterior lighting assembly. Data for the bulb size covers the range from 1969 to 1973.

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
1969-1973	97

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	97

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Volkswagen Squareback used the ANSI 97 bulb for its license plate lighting across the 1969-1973 model years.
The 97 is a single-filament bulb, meaning it serves one lighting function rather than combining two, such as stop and tail.
It operates on a 12-volt electrical system and draws 13 watts.
The 97 uses a BA15s bayonet base, which is a single-contact bayonet mount with a 15mm collar width.
The ANSI designation indicates the 97 meets a standardized specification recognized in both the United States and Canada.
The 97 is a variant of the more widely known 1156 bulb, though the two are not identical and are not confirmed as interchangeable for this application.