The credential number is a unique identifier printed on your Kansas driver's license that tracks your specific license document
Your credential number is an eight-digit code on your Kansas driver's license that identifies that particular card. It is not your driver's license number — that is different. The credential number changes every time you renew your license or get a replacement card, so each physical document you hold has its own credential number.
You will find the credential number in the upper right corner of your Kansas driver's license, above your photo. It looks like a straightforward eight-digit sequence. The Kansas Department of Revenue uses this number to track which specific card was issued to you on which date, and whether that card is still valid or has been replaced.
The credential number matters when you report your license lost, stolen, or damaged. When you tell the state you need a replacement, they use the credential number to deactivate the old card and issue a new one with a new credential number. This prevents someone from using your old card after you have reported it gone.
Key Takeaways
- The credential number is an eight-digit code in the upper right corner of your Kansas driver's license that identifies that specific card.
- Your credential number changes every time you renew your license or get a replacement, so it is different from your permanent driver's license number.
- You should provide your credential number when reporting a lost, stolen, or damaged license to may support the old card is deactivated.
- The credential number helps the Kansas Department of Revenue track which physical license documents are valid and which have been replaced.
How the credential number differs from your driver's license number
Your driver's license number stays the same for your entire life in Kansas (unless you change your name or legal status). Your credential number, by contrast, is tied to the physical card itself. When you renew every four or eight years, you keep the same driver's license number but receive a new credential number on your new card.
Think of it this way: your driver's license number is like your Social Security number — it identifies you. Your credential number is like a serial number on a piece of equipment — it identifies that specific card. If someone steals your old license and you get a replacement, both cards have the same driver's license number but different credential numbers. The state can then mark the old credential number as invalid.
Where to find your credential number on your license
Look at the upper right corner of the front of your Kansas driver's license. The credential number appears as an eight-digit sequence, usually printed in small text above or near your photograph. On older Kansas licenses, the placement may vary slightly, but it is always on the front of the card.
If you cannot locate it on a physical card you are holding, you can also find your credential number by logging into your Kansas driver's license record through the Kansas Department of Revenue website, though you will need to verify your identity first. Having the number handy is useful if you ever need to report the card lost or stolen.
When you need to provide your credential number
You will most often need your credential number when you report your license lost, stolen, or damaged to the Kansas Department of Revenue. Providing it helps the state quickly deactivate that specific card and prevents anyone else from using it. You can report this by phone, online, or in person at a local driver's license office.
You may also need it if you are replacing a damaged or worn card before your renewal date. Some government agencies or businesses may ask for it as part of identity verification, though this is less common than asking for your driver's license number itself.
What happens to your credential number when you renew
When your Kansas driver's license renewal date arrives, you will receive a new physical card with a new credential number. Your driver's license number remains the same, but the credential number on your new card will be different from the one on your old card. This is normal and expected.
The old credential number becomes inactive once your new license is issued. If you still have the old card, you should destroy it (cutting it in half is standard practice) to prevent anyone from using it. The new credential number is what the state will use to track your current, valid license.
How credential numbers help prevent fraud
The credential number system allows Kansas to maintain a clear record of which physical license cards are legitimate and which are not. If your card is stolen and someone tries to use it, the state can check the credential number against their records and see that it has been reported invalid. This does not prevent someone from attempting to use it, but it creates an audit trail.
When you report a card lost or stolen, the credential number is what gets flagged in the system. Law enforcement or businesses checking your license can see that the credential number is no longer valid, even though the driver's license number itself is still active (because you still hold a valid license with a different credential number).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my credential number the same as my driver's license number?
No. Your driver's license number stays the same your entire life in Kansas. Your credential number is unique to each physical card and changes every time you renew or get a replacement. You need both numbers in different situations.
What do I do if I lose my license and need to report the credential number?
Contact the Kansas Department of Revenue by phone, online, or in person at a local driver's license office. Have your driver's license number ready, and provide the credential number if you can find it on your old card or records. The state will deactivate that credential number and issue you a replacement card with a new one.
Can someone use my old license if they find it after I renew?
The old credential number becomes inactive once your new license is issued, so the old card should not be accepted as valid identification. However, you should still destroy your old card by cutting it in half to prevent any attempt to use it.
Where exactly is the credential number printed on my Kansas license?
The credential number is an eight-digit code in the upper right corner of the front of your Kansas driver's license, usually printed above or near your photograph. On older licenses, placement may vary slightly, but it is always on the front.