Your credential number is a unique identifier printed on your Kansas driver's license that the state uses to track your driving record and license status
The credential number is a seven-digit code on your Kansas license that belongs only to you. It is not the same as your driver's license number (which is your Social Security number on a Kansas license), and it is not the same as your date of birth or any other personal identifier. The credential number is Kansas's internal way of organizing your license file, and it appears on every license you receive — whether it is your first license, a renewal, or a replacement after a name change.
You will see your credential number printed on the front of your physical license card, usually in the upper right area. It stays the same throughout your driving life in Kansas, even if your license expires and you renew it. If you move out of state and later return to Kansas, you may receive a new credential number because you are starting a new license file.
The credential number matters because it is what the Kansas Department of Revenue uses to pull up your complete driving history — violations, suspensions, accidents, and all license actions. When a police officer runs your license during a traffic stop, they are looking up information using this number. When you check your own driving record online, you will need this number to access your file.
Key Takeaways
- Your credential number is a seven-digit code unique to you that Kansas uses to track your license and driving record.
- The credential number appears on the front of your physical license card and stays the same for the life of your Kansas license.
- You will need your credential number to check your driving record online or request an official copy of your record from the Kansas Department of Revenue.
- Your credential number is different from your driver's license number, which is your Social Security number on a Kansas license.
Where to find your credential number on your license
Look at the front of your Kansas driver's license card. The credential number is printed in the upper right corner, above or near your photograph. It is a seven-digit number with no letters. If you cannot locate it on your physical card, you can also find it on any official document the Kansas Department of Revenue sends you — renewal notices, suspension letters, or driving record printouts all display your credential number.
If you have lost your license or do not have it with you, you can contact the Kansas Department of Revenue directly and provide your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. They will give you your credential number over the phone or by mail. You do not need the credential number to renew your license or explore for a replacement — the state's system will look you up by your Social Security number and name.
Why Kansas uses credential numbers instead of just your license number
Kansas bases your driver's license number on your Social Security number, which is different from how many other states organize their licenses. Using your Social Security number as your license number creates a problem: if your Social Security number changes (which is rare but can happen), or if you need to be tracked across multiple license records, the state needs a separate internal identifier. That is where the credential number comes in.
The credential number is purely an administrative tool. It does not appear on any document you show to an employer, a bank, or a police officer — only on your license card itself and on official state records. It exists so that the Kansas Department of Revenue can keep your file organized and connected to your driving history, no matter what changes happen to your personal information.
When you will need to reference your credential number
You will need your credential number most often when you are dealing directly with the Kansas Department of Revenue. If you want to check your driving record online through the state's website, you will enter your credential number along with your date of birth to access your file. If you are requesting an official copy of your driving record by mail or phone, having your credential number on hand will speed up the process.
You may also need it if you are disputing a ticket, requesting a hearing about a suspension, or dealing with a license reinstatement. Insurance companies and employers sometimes ask for it when they are verifying your driving history, though they can usually look it up if you provide your name and date of birth instead. Keep your credential number in a safe place — write it down somewhere separate from your license, or take a photo of your license card and store it securely.
What happens to your credential number if you renew or replace your license
Your credential number does not change when you renew your license. If your license expires and you renew it before or after the expiration date, you will receive a new physical card with a new license number (still based on your Social Security number), but your credential number will remain the same. This is one reason the credential number is so important — it is the thread that connects all your license records together.
If you replace your license because it was lost, stolen, or damaged, your credential number also stays the same. The only time you might receive a new credential number is if you move out of Kansas, let your license expire for several years, and then explore for a new Kansas license after returning to the state. In that case, the Department of Revenue may treat it as a new file and assign you a new credential number, though this is not automatic.
How your credential number connects to your driving record
Every action on your Kansas driving record — every ticket, every accident report, every suspension or reinstatement — is filed under your credential number. When you check your record online, you are pulling up everything the state has stored under that number. If you have had multiple licenses in Kansas (due to name changes, for example), those records may be linked under the same credential number so you can see your complete history.
Your driving record is what insurers see when they quote you a rate, what employers see when they run a background check for a driving job, and what the court sees if you contest a ticket. Because all of this information is organized by your credential number, keeping track of it can help you understand what is in your file and catch any errors before they affect your insurance or employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my credential number the same as my driver's license number?
No. Your driver's license number on a Kansas license is your Social Security number. Your credential number is a separate seven-digit code that Kansas uses internally to organize your file. Both appear on your license card, but they serve different purposes.
Can I look up someone else's credential number?
No. Credential numbers are private information tied to your driving record. You cannot look up another person's credential number without their permission, and the Kansas Department of Revenue will not release it to you. If you need to verify someone's license status for a legitimate reason, you would need to go through official channels like law enforcement or a court order.
What do I do if I forget my credential number?
You can find it on your physical license card in the upper right corner, or contact the Kansas Department of Revenue by phone or mail with your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. They will provide your credential number. You do not need it to renew your license or handle most routine transactions — the state can look you up by your name and Social Security number.
Does my credential number change if I change my name?
No. Your credential number stays the same even if you change your name legally. Your driver's license number (based on your Social Security number) also stays the same. When you update your name with the Kansas Department of Revenue, your file is updated but your credential number remains your permanent identifier.
Why does Kansas use Social Security numbers as license numbers?
Kansas is one of a few states that uses Social Security numbers as driver's license numbers. This was a common practice when driver's licenses were first computerized, though many states have moved away from it for privacy reasons. The credential number was created as a secondary identifier to help organize records within the state's system.