Can You Get a Fuel Card With No Credit Check or Bad Credit?

Last Updated August 26, 2024

Of the many financial concerns associated with running a trucking business, few are more pertinent to your day-to-day operations than obtaining a fuel card. Fuel cards are not only convenient for filling your rig, but they can also help you unlock a variety of discounts and give you greater control and oversight over fuel-related expenses.

However, much like other aspects of funding your business, fuel cards often require a credit check. And if you don’t have good credit, some fuel cards may not be available to you. Fortunately, there are business fuel cards with no credit check required as well. Here’s what you should know about fuel cards for owner-operators with bad credit.

How Your Business Credit Score Affects Your Fuel Card Eligibility

Standard fuel cards typically operate like a business credit card that can be used by a fleet and its drivers. These cards are designed for use at in-network gas stations, often with a discount. The cards can sometimes be used for other transportation-related expenses, including truck maintenance and repairs. At the end of the month, the business receives a statement from the fuel card provider that lists what was purchased and the balance owed.

Because a standard fuel card operates similarly to a credit card, the fuel card provider takes on a certain amount of risk. After all, there is always the possibility that a trucker could use the card for fuel and then not make the required payment. The average trucker spends $50,000 to $70,000 on fuel per year, which is a pretty significant risk.

As a result, fuel card providers will typically establish a set of qualifications that businesses must meet to obtain a fuel card. They may want to look at your business plan, profit and loss statements, and other relevant documents. They will always want to look at your business credit score.

Your business credit score will have a direct impact on your credit limit, interest rate, and more. And if your credit score is below a minimum threshold (usually a FICO credit score below 580), you won’t qualify for a fuel card.

Is It Possible to Get a Business Fuel Card With No Credit Check?

If you have poor credit or don’t have an extensive credit history, you’re probably hoping you can find fuel cards for small businesses with no credit check necessary. Fortunately, there are several potential solutions that serve as a viable workaround. While you may not necessarily qualify for a conventional fuel card, options like prepaid fuel cards, fuel debit cards, and fuel cards for truckers with bad credit allow you to obtain a card for your business without going through a credit check.

Keep in mind, however, that these cards may lack all the features and benefits of a conventional fuel card or have other requirements. Carefully evaluating the options available to you (and working to improve your credit score) will make it easier to obtain a fuel card that matches the needs of your trucking business.

How to Get a Fuel Card With Bad Credit

If you have bad credit, there are still several options available to help you obtain a fuel card for your trucking business operations.

Explore Prepaid Fuel Cards

A prepaid fuel card is a straightforward business fuel card with no credit check necessary. Generally speaking, prepaid fuel cards only require you to verify your account with an official ID.

You don’t need a credit check to get a prepaid fuel card because you top off the card in advance (usually online or with your smartphone). Rather than “borrowing” money like you do with a credit card, you instead fill the card with cash that is withdrawn from your business’s reserves.

So, while you don’t have to worry about getting approved for a prepaid fuel card and you can still qualify for rewards and discounts, the amount of money available will be limited to what you can transfer from your own cash reserves.

Explore Fuel Debit Cards

A business debit card can be somewhat easier to manage than a prepaid fuel card, in that it is linked directly to your business bank account and makes direct withdrawals when you use it to purchase fuel.

Fuel debit cards don’t have yearly fees or interest rates, as there is no credit involved. And because the debit card is directly linked to your bank account, you don’t have to worry about remembering to top off the card.

That being said, using a debit card rather than a prepaid card could make it easier to overspend on fuel and other transportation expenses, putting you at higher risk of overdrawing your account. There is also the risk of having funds stolen by a debit card skimmer.

Do Your Research About Bad Credit Fuel Card Providers

Conventional fuel cards for bad credit are also an option, though benefits and qualification requirements will likely vary between providers. Card providers that service drivers with bad credit typically offer lower borrowing limits. Or, they might require that you prove the profit potential of your business or provide references.

Other common practices include requiring a deposit ranging from 20%-100% of your normal fuel spend or making a one-off bond payment that is equal to half of your monthly fuel limit. Bond payments are often returned after a set period of time or when your credit score increases.

You May Need to Sign a Personal Guarantee to Qualify

When your business credit isn’t sufficient, a fuel card provider may look at your individual credit instead to help you qualify for the card. Alternatively, you might need to apply with a co-signer who has a higher credit score.

The personal guarantee may help you qualify for a fuel card, but it could also result in personal liability if you struggle to pay off the card. Be sure you understand the provider’s policies for personal guarantees and how they affect your individual finances.

Work to Improve Your Credit

If you want to enjoy the full scope of benefits that come from a conventional fuel card that requires a credit check, you should actively work to improve your business credit score. Even simple activities like ensuring all payments are made on time and maintaining a low credit utilization will help improve your score over time. As you consistently improve your score, you won’t have to worry about fuel cards for bad credit.

Consider Freight Factoring to Help Fund Your Trucking Business If You Have Bad Credit

While fleet fuel cards for bad credit can be a helpful solution, many trucking business owners may also find it helpful to use freight factoring to fund their business. Freight factoring allows you to receive a cash advance on your unpaid invoices after you complete a haul. This service doesn’t depend on your creditworthiness—instead, the factoring company looks at the credit score of your client when determining whether to purchase your invoice.

Freight factoring allows you to get paid the majority of the value of your invoices almost immediately, minus a small factoring fee. When your client submits payment to the factoring company, they will provide the remaining amount from the invoice.

With this solution, you don’t have to wait to get paid. Improved cash flow ensures you’ll have sufficient funds available when using a prepaid fuel card or business debit card so you can continue to take on new loads.

In-Summary: No Credit Check Business Fuel Cards

A bad credit score doesn’t mean you can’t get a fleet fuel card. By looking into no credit check business fuel card options such as prepaid cards, debit cards, and fuel cards for owner-operators with bad credit, you can find a solution that fits your current financial picture. By pairing these options with freight factoring, you can effectively manage fuel costs as you take on loads.

Of course, you should always look for ways to improve your business credit score so you can eventually qualify for fuel cards that require a credit check.

No Credit Check Fuel Cards FAQs

How do you check your trucking business credit score?

You can check your trucking business’s credit score through one of the three major commercial credit bureaus—Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax. For a small fee, you can obtain a comprehensive report of your business’s credit score and history so you can fix any errors or identify areas for improvement.

What is the minimum credit score to qualify for a business fuel card?

Generally speaking, most fuel card providers require a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify for a business fuel card. Exact requirements may vary between providers. With a higher credit score, you will be able to qualify for a higher line of credit and a more favorable interest rate.

What is the best business fuel card for owner-operators with bad credit?

Truckers with bad credit who are looking for business fuel cards with no credit check should start by exploring prepaid fuel cards. Because the card is not directly linked to your business bank account, it is more secure than a debit card. And because you top off the money yourself rather than borrowing it as you would with a credit card, you don’t have to pay a deposit or bond payment as you would with a bad credit fuel card.