A TOTAL of 11 drivers were caught out in Halstead for not having tax on their cars.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) sent its wheel-clamping partner, NSL, into the town last week.

They clamped cars in Kings Road, New Street, Trinity Street and Beridge Road.

It means the drivers will have to pay a release fee of £100 and, if they cannot show the car has been taxed, a surety fee of £160.

The DVLA crew were in Halstead on August 15 and residents who have paid road tax were pleased to see action being taken.

Some of the cars could be seized if the drivers do not co-operate.

At the start of the year, 15 cars where clamped in a day of action by the DVLA in Halstead.

A DVLA Spokesman said: “It’s an offence not to tax a vehicle before it’s driven on the road.

"While DVLA does tell drivers when their tax is due by sending reminders and last chance notices, it is right that we take action against those who don’t tax their vehicles - otherwise it wouldn’t be fair on those who do the right thing.

"Over 98% of vehicles on the road are taxed correctly – so the overwhelming majority of motorists pay their tax”.