Volvo 264 License Plate Bulb Size

The Volvo 264 license plate light uses 57, 257, and DE3423 bulb sizes depending on the specific version. Data for the provided specifications covers the range from 1976 to 1982.

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
1982	57
1980-1981	257
1979	57
1978	DE3423
1976-1977	257

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 1W.	57
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon or BA9s base instrument bulb. 12V, 2W.	257
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Volvo 264 license plate bulb specifications cover model years 1976-1982, with three distinct bulb types used across that span: the 57, 257, and DE3423.
The 257 bulb is the most frequently specified type for the Volvo 264 license plate position, appearing in four of the seven model years: 1976, 1977, 1980, and 1981.
The 257 is an ANSI-standard bulb rated at 12V and 2W, and it is compatible with either a festoon or BA9s base, giving it a degree of physical fitment flexibility relative to the other types listed.
The 57 bulb appears in two model years, 1979 and 1982, and is an ANSI-standard single-filament bulb with a BA9s base, rated at 12V and 1W.
Although both the 57 and 257 can share a BA9s base, their wattage ratings differ: the 57 draws 1W while the 257 draws 2W, which means the two types are not straightforward substitutes for one another despite the potential physical compatibility.
The 1978 Volvo 264 uses the DE3423, a festoon-type bulb with a 41mm length and end-cap contacts, rated at 12V. Its fitment type is physically distinct from the BA9s-base bulbs used in other model years.
The DE3423 is the only festoon-only bulb in these specifications. The 257 also supports a festoon base, but the DE3423 relies solely on end-cap contacts and a fixed 41mm length for its fitment, making socket compatibility a relevant consideration.
All three bulb types in these specifications conform to ANSI standards applicable in the United States and Canada, indicating they are designed for North American market fitment.