diff --git a/conda/recipes/rapids-cli/recipe.yaml b/conda/recipes/rapids-cli/recipe.yaml
index 4e3ad4a..7b1d499 100644
--- a/conda/recipes/rapids-cli/recipe.yaml
+++ b/conda/recipes/rapids-cli/recipe.yaml
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ requirements:
   run:
     - python
     - importlib-metadata >=4.13.0
+    - cuda-bindings >=12.9.6,!=13.0.*,!=13.1.*
+    - cuda-core >=0.6.0
     - cuda-pathfinder >=1.2.3
     - nvidia-ml-py >=12.0
     - packaging
diff --git a/dependencies.yaml b/dependencies.yaml
index d312739..3afec7e 100644
--- a/dependencies.yaml
+++ b/dependencies.yaml
@@ -62,6 +62,10 @@ dependencies:
       - output_types: [conda, requirements, pyproject]
         packages:
           - cuda-core >=0.6.0
+          # NVML APIs we use via cuda.core.system landed in cuda-bindings
+          # 12.9.6 (CUDA 12) and 13.2.0 (CUDA 13). The 13.0/13.1
+          # wheels pre-date the 13.x landing and are excluded.
+          - cuda-bindings>=12.9.6,!=13.0.*,!=13.1.*
           - nvidia-ml-py>=12.0
           - cuda-pathfinder >=1.2.3
           - packaging
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 882cc68..b2c0d4b 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ license-files = ["LICENSE"]
 readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">=3.10"
 dependencies = [
+    "cuda-bindings>=12.9.6,!=13.0.*,!=13.1.*",
     "cuda-core >=0.6.0",
     "cuda-pathfinder >=1.2.3",
     "importlib-metadata >= 4.13.0; python_version < '3.12'",
diff --git a/rapids_cli/doctor/checks/cuda_toolkit.py b/rapids_cli/doctor/checks/cuda_toolkit.py
index d2a3df8..109dd26 100644
--- a/rapids_cli/doctor/checks/cuda_toolkit.py
+++ b/rapids_cli/doctor/checks/cuda_toolkit.py
@@ -173,9 +173,8 @@ def _gather_toolkit_info() -> CudaToolkitInfo:  # pragma: no cover
         except (DynamicLibNotFoundError, RuntimeError):
             info.missing_libs.append(soname)
 
-    # Get driver version
     try:
-        info.driver_major = get_driver_version(kernel_mode=True)[0]
+        info.driver_major = get_driver_version()[0]
     except Exception:
         info.driver_major = None
 
diff --git a/rapids_cli/tests/test_cuda_toolkit.py b/rapids_cli/tests/test_cuda_toolkit.py
index 7487bbf..70e40eb 100644
--- a/rapids_cli/tests/test_cuda_toolkit.py
+++ b/rapids_cli/tests/test_cuda_toolkit.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 from rapids_cli.doctor.checks.cuda_toolkit import (
     CudaToolkitInfo,
     _ctypes_cuda_version,
+    _gather_toolkit_info,
     _get_toolkit_cuda_major,
     cuda_toolkit_check,
 )
@@ -176,3 +177,16 @@ def test_check_cuda_home_newer_than_driver(set_toolkit_info):
     ):
         with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="CUDA_HOME"):
             cuda_toolkit_check()
+
+
+def test_gather_toolkit_info_driver_major_is_cuda_major():
+    """Regression: driver_major must be the CUDA Driver API major, not the kernel driver major."""
+    try:
+        info = _gather_toolkit_info()
+    except Exception as e:
+        pytest.skip(f"_gather_toolkit_info unavailable on this platform: {e}")
+    if info.driver_major is not None:
+        assert info.driver_major < 100, (
+            f"driver_major={info.driver_major} looks like a kernel driver "
+            f"version, not a CUDA Driver API major"
+        )