What is a UTR number and how do I get one?
A ten-digit reference HMRC gives you when you register for Self Assessment. It arrives by post, usually within about two weeks.
Last checked 12/09/2026.
Your Unique Taxpayer Reference is a ten-digit number HMRC uses to identify you for Self Assessment. You get one automatically when you register as self-employed, and you cannot file a return without it.
It arrives by post at the address on your HMRC record. Allow about two weeks, longer around the January deadline when everyone is registering at once. This is the main reason to register early rather than in the week the return is due.
Once you have it, it also appears in your HMRC online account and on any letter HMRC sends you about Self Assessment. If you have lost it, find your UTR (opens in a new tab) walks through where to look.
Some delivery platforms ask for it when you sign up. That is a compliance check on their side, not HMRC asking, and giving it to them does nothing to your tax position.
Related
Do I need to register as self-employed as a delivery driver?
Yes, if your delivery income before expenses was more than £1,000 in a tax year.
HMRC & taxUpdated 19/08/2026
How do I register as a sole trader?
Online at gov.uk, through your Government Gateway account. It takes about ten minutes and you need your National Insurance number.
HMRC & taxUpdated 19/08/2026
Self Assessment for delivery drivers: the complete guide
Registering, what counts as income, what you can claim, how much tax you will owe and when it is due - written for UK delivery and courier drivers, correct for the 2026/27 tax year.
HMRC & taxUpdated 19/08/2026
How much do Yodel drivers actually earn per week?
A realistic look at Yodel take home pay, covering parcel rates, van costs, fuel, and what drivers actually keep after expenses.
Earnings & profitabilityUpdated 17/10/2026
How to set up as a DPD owner driver franchisee
A step by step guide to setting up your business, buying a round, and getting on the road as a DPD owner driver franchisee.
Getting startedUpdated 17/10/2026
Riding for Deliveroo: the full guide
How Deliveroo works for a rider: what you need to join, how each fee is worked out, the pay floor agreed with the GMB union, when the money arrives, the insurance Deliveroo gives you for free, and the parts that are left to you.
Getting startedUpdated 29/09/2026