We’re so sorry to hear about your financial situation! Unfortunately, you can’t put a second lien on a car in most cases.

A car lien provides legal protection to a lienholder or car loan lender until your loan has been paid off. Since the lienholder has already put a lien on your current loan—that title is no longer considered clear.

You can’t take out another loan because your current loan amount corresponds to your car’s value. You won’t be able to borrow more than what your vehicle is worth, as it would pose a financial risk for the lienholder if you can’t pay both loans off.

Once you pay off your auto loan, your lienholder will send you a lien release letter and transfer the title to you if you eventually need to sell your vehicle.

MORE: How to find out if a used car has a lien