Definition
VMRS is a universal coding convention for maintenance reporting developed by the Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) of the American Trucking Associations. TMC describes it as not a software program but a coding convention that can be used with existing software or paper forms. It covers equipment classification codes, labor codes, part description codes, and manufacturer, supplier, and brand codes. Transport Topics reports that the system dates to the 1970s and that TMC has been responsible for it since 1997.
How the component codes work
The most used codes describe where on the vehicle work was done, in three levels:
- Code Key 31, system: the first three digits, for example 013 for brakes.
- Code Key 32, assembly: the next three digits, a part of that system.
- Code Key 33, component: the last three digits, the specific component.
Together they form a nine digit code written as three groups. A fleet can report at three, six, or nine digits depending on how much detail it needs.
Other common code keys
Fleets also use code keys that describe the event: Code Key 14 for reason for repair, Code Key 15 for work accomplished, and Code Key 18 for technician failure, meaning why the technician believes the part failed. Part description codes give one standard identifier for the same part across manufacturers. They do not replace the manufacturer part number.
Licensing
The full code set is licensed by TMC, and codes are updated as new equipment and parts appear. Check with TMC for current licensing terms before building codes into your own forms.
Why it matters to a repair shop
Larger fleets and fleet service networks often ask outside shops to put VMRS codes on invoices, so the repair can drop straight into the fleet maintenance system and be compared with other shops. A shop that can code repair lines consistently is easier to do business with. The coding works best when each repair line has a clear complaint, cause, and correction, because the code has to match the work described.
See ATA codes and how to write a repair line with the 3 Cs. MetaFleet AI writes clean repair lines from technician notes; see AI invoicing.