Automobiles are generally not exempt unless a creditor has a lien on them or some other form of perfected security interest. The fact that a person needs their automobile to travel to and from work is not enough to make the automobile exempt. However, if a debtor can show that use of their automobile is a necessary element of their trade and/or occupation then the automobile may be classified as a "tool of the trade" and likewise be exempt (Examples are: pizza delivery persons, traveling salesmen, businessmen, doctors, many secretaries who are required to run errands and the like).