Carrier VMT Status: What "Out of Date" Means on FMCSA SAFER and How to Fix It

You search your company on FMCSA's SAFER website and there it is: "VMT: OUT OF DATE" displayed in red. It looks alarming. Does it mean you're in violation? Will it affect your safety rating? Can you still operate? The short answer is that an outdated VMT is a warning sign, not a death sentence—but ignoring it can lead to real consequences.

This guide explains exactly what VMT means on your FMCSA SAFER report, why it shows "OUT OF DATE," whether it affects your safety rating, and how to fix it in about 20 minutes. We'll also clear up the most common misconceptions carriers have about this status indicator.

What Does VMT Mean on FMCSA?

VMT stands for Vehicle Miles Traveled. It is a data field on your FMCSA SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) report that represents the total annual mileage driven by all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in your fleet. Think of it as FMCSA's snapshot of how much your fleet drives in a given year.

This number isn't pulled from GPS tracking or toll records. It comes directly from your MCS-150 form—the Motor Carrier Identification Report that every USDOT-registered carrier must file. When you complete or update your MCS-150, one of the fields asks for your estimated annual vehicle miles traveled. That's the number FMCSA displays on your SAFER report.

FMCSA uses your VMT data for several purposes:

• Carrier size assessment: VMT helps FMCSA categorize carriers by operational scope and allocate inspection resources accordingly
• Safety analysis: Crash and violation rates are sometimes calculated per miles traveled, making VMT an important denominator in safety metrics
• Audit prioritization: Combined with other data, VMT helps FMCSA identify carriers that may need closer oversight
• Industry statistics: Aggregate VMT data informs national transportation policy and infrastructure planning

Why Your Carrier VMT Shows "OUT OF DATE"

When you see "OUT OF DATE" next to the VMT field on your SAFER report, it means one thing: your MCS-150 biennial update hasn't been filed recently. Specifically, the data FMCSA has on file for your carrier is older than two years, which is the MCS-150 filing cycle.

Under 49 CFR §390.19, every motor carrier with a USDOT number must update their MCS-150 every two years during their assigned filing month. Your filing month and year are determined by the last two digits of your USDOT number. When that biennial update hasn't been completed on schedule, FMCSA flags your entire MCS-150 record—including the VMT field—as outdated.

Common reasons carriers end up with an outdated VMT include:

• Missed biennial filing: You didn't know your MCS-150 was due, or you forgot to file during your assigned month
• New carrier oversight: You filed your initial MCS-150 when you got your USDOT number but didn't realize you need to update it every two years
• Login issues: You tried to file but couldn't access the FMCSA portal due to a lost PIN or login.gov problems, and never followed up
• Assumed no update was needed: You believed that if nothing changed, you didn't need to file—but you must file even if all information stays the same

Does an Outdated VMT Affect Your Safety Rating?

This is the question every carrier asks when they see that red "OUT OF DATE" label, and the answer is nuanced.

The Direct Impact: Minimal

An outdated VMT is a data freshness indicator, not a safety violation in itself. FMCSA does not issue violations, fines, or safety rating changes solely because your VMT field shows "OUT OF DATE" on SAFER. Your safety rating (Satisfactory, Conditional, Unsatisfactory) is determined by compliance reviews, crash data, and inspection results—not by whether your VMT is current.

The Indirect Impact: Significant

However, an outdated VMT is a visible symptom of a deeper compliance problem: your MCS-150 biennial update hasn't been filed. And that's where the real risks come in:

• MCS-150 non-compliance is a violation: Failure to file the MCS-150 biennial update violates 49 CFR §390.19 and can result in civil penalties up to $1,000 per day
• USDOT deactivation: Prolonged failure to file can lead to FMCSA deactivating your USDOT number, which means your trucks cannot legally operate in interstate commerce
• Audit red flags: An outdated SAFER record signals to auditors, shippers, and brokers that your compliance practices may be lacking. This can trigger closer scrutiny during safety audits
• Shipper and broker concerns: Many shippers and freight brokers check SAFER reports before awarding loads. An "OUT OF DATE" VMT can raise doubts about your professionalism and compliance

How to Check Your VMT Status on SAFER

Checking your current VMT status takes less than a minute. Here's how:

1. Go to the FMCSA SAFER website at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
2. Enter your USDOT number in the search field and click "Search"
3. On your Company Snapshot page, look for the "VEHICLE MILEAGE (VMT)" field
4. If the field shows a number with a recent date, your VMT is current
5. If you see "OUT OF DATE" in red, your MCS-150 needs to be updated

While you're there, also check the "MCS-150 Form Date" field. This shows when your MCS-150 was last filed. If it's more than two years old, that confirms why your VMT is flagged as outdated.

How to Fix "VMT: OUT OF DATE" — Step by Step

Fixing your outdated VMT is straightforward because it's simply a matter of updating your MCS-150. The entire process takes about 15-20 minutes online. Here's exactly what to do:

Step 1: Go to the FMCSA URS Portal

Visit the FMCSA Unified Registration System at portal.fmcsa.dot.gov. This is the official portal for all FMCSA registration updates, including the MCS-150 biennial update.

Step 2: Log In with Your Credentials

You'll need two things to log in:

• Login.gov account: If you don't have one, you can create it during the login process using your email address
• USDOT PIN: This was mailed to you when you first registered. If you've lost it, you can request a new PIN through the portal—but this takes a few business days, so don't wait until the last minute

Step 3: Select "Update MCS-150 / Biennial Update"

Once logged in, navigate to the MCS-150 update option. The portal will display your current information on file. This is where you'll see the data FMCSA currently has, including your existing VMT figure.

Step 4: Update Your Vehicle Miles Traveled

Find the Vehicle Miles Traveled field and enter your actual annual fleet mileage—the total miles driven by all CMVs in your fleet over the past 12 months. Be as accurate as possible (see the calculation section below for guidance).

Step 5: Review and Certify All Other Information

Don't just update the VMT field and submit. Review every section of the MCS-150:

• Legal business name and DBA
• Principal place of business address
• Mailing address
• Phone number and email
• Number of power units (trucks/tractors)
• Number of drivers
• Types of cargo transported
• Operation classification (for-hire, private, exempt)
• Hazmat certification status

Certify that all information is current and accurate before proceeding.

Step 6: Submit Your Update

Submit the completed form. You'll receive immediate confirmation with a timestamp—save this for your records. Your SAFER page should reflect the updated VMT within 3-5 business days. Once updated, the "OUT OF DATE" flag will be removed and your current mileage will be displayed.

How to Calculate Your Vehicle Miles Traveled

The VMT figure on your MCS-150 should represent the total miles driven by all commercial motor vehicles in your fleet over the past 12 months. Here's how to calculate it accurately:

What to Include

• All CMV miles: Include every mile driven by vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or those used to transport hazmat in quantities requiring placards
• Interstate and intrastate miles: Include both interstate (crossing state lines) and intrastate (within a single state) miles
• All drivers: Include miles driven by company drivers, owner-operators leased to your authority, and any other drivers operating under your USDOT number
• Loaded and empty miles: Count all miles, whether the vehicle is loaded with freight or running empty (deadhead miles)

How to Get the Numbers

• ELD/telematics data: If you use electronic logging devices, pull total mileage reports for all vehicles over the past 12 months
• Odometer readings: Record odometer readings at the start and end of a 12-month period for each vehicle, then add them up
• IFTA reports: Your quarterly IFTA filings already track total miles by jurisdiction—add up four quarters for your annual total
• Dispatch records: If you track trip mileage through dispatch software, aggregate the annual totals

The Connection Between VMT and Your MCS-150

Understanding the relationship between VMT and the MCS-150 is essential because they're not separate things. VMT is just one field on the MCS-150 form. When carriers see "VMT: OUT OF DATE" on SAFER, they sometimes think there's a separate VMT update they need to file. There isn't.

Here's how it works:

• The MCS-150 is the master form that captures all your carrier identification data
• VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) is one of approximately 20 data fields on the MCS-150
• When you file your MCS-150 biennial update, all fields are updated—including VMT
• When your MCS-150 goes stale (more than 2 years without an update), FMCSA flags all data as outdated—including VMT

The bottom line: keep your MCS-150 current, and your VMT will always be current too. For a complete guide on MCS-150 filing, including how to calculate your exact due date based on your USDOT number, see our MCS-150 Biennial Update Guide.

Common Misconceptions About Carrier VMT

There's a lot of confusion in the trucking community about what VMT means and what happens when it's outdated. Let's clear up the most common misconceptions.

Misconception 1: "OUT OF DATE Doesn't Mean I'm in Violation"

Partially true, but misleading. The VMT field itself being outdated is not a standalone violation. However, the reason it's outdated—because you haven't filed your MCS-150 biennial update—absolutely is a violation of 49 CFR §390.19. Thinking of the VMT flag as "no big deal" ignores the underlying compliance failure that triggers it.

Misconception 2: "I Only Need to Update VMT When It Changes"

Incorrect. You must file your MCS-150 biennial update every two years during your assigned month, even if your VMT and every other data point remain exactly the same. The filing requirement is time-based, not change-based. Think of it like renewing your driver's license—you must do it on schedule whether or not your address has changed.

Misconception 3: "An Outdated VMT Will Get My Trucks Pulled Over"

Not directly. Roadside inspection officers don't pull trucks over because of an outdated VMT on SAFER. However, if your USDOT number has been deactivated due to prolonged MCS-150 non-compliance, officers can and will place your vehicles out of service. The outdated VMT is an early warning—the deactivation is the real consequence.

Misconception 4: "VMT Is a Separate Filing from the MCS-150"

Incorrect. There is no separate VMT filing or update process. VMT is updated automatically when you complete your MCS-150 biennial update. If someone is telling you to pay for a "VMT update service," they're likely selling you something you can do for free through the FMCSA portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does VMT mean on FMCSA?

VMT stands for Vehicle Miles Traveled. It represents the total annual mileage driven by all commercial motor vehicles in your fleet, as reported on your MCS-150 form. FMCSA displays this data on your SAFER Company Snapshot report and uses it for safety analysis, carrier size assessment, and resource allocation.

How do I update my carrier VMT?

You update your carrier VMT by filing your MCS-150 biennial update through the FMCSA portal at portal.fmcsa.dot.gov. Log in with your login.gov credentials and USDOT PIN, select the MCS-150 update option, enter your current annual fleet mileage, review all other information, and submit. There is no separate VMT filing—it's part of the MCS-150.

Does an outdated VMT affect my safety rating?

An outdated VMT does not directly change your safety rating. However, it indicates that your MCS-150 biennial update is overdue, which is a compliance violation. Prolonged non-compliance can lead to USDOT deactivation, civil penalties up to $1,000 per day, and increased audit scrutiny—all of which can indirectly affect your ability to operate.

How often do I need to update my VMT?

Your VMT is updated as part of your MCS-150 biennial update, which is due every two years. Your specific filing month and year are determined by the last two digits of your USDOT number. You can calculate your exact due date using our MCS-150 due date calculator.

What happens if I don't update my MCS-150?

Failure to file the MCS-150 biennial update can result in escalating consequences: your SAFER data will show as outdated (including VMT), FMCSA may deactivate your USDOT number, you face civil penalties up to $1,000 per day for operating with an inactive USDOT, and your trucks can be placed out of service at roadside inspections. Reactivating a deactivated USDOT number requires completing the update and may involve a waiting period during which your trucks cannot legally operate.

Keep Your VMT Current with Automated Compliance Tracking

An outdated VMT is easy to fix—but even easier to prevent. The challenge for most carriers isn't the 20-minute filing process. It's remembering when the filing is due in the first place. With biennial deadlines that vary by USDOT number, MCS-150 due dates are easy to lose track of, especially when you're busy running a fleet.

FleetCollect's Company Compliance Dashboard automatically tracks your MCS-150 due date so your VMT never goes stale:

• Automatic due date calculation based on your USDOT number
• Email and dashboard alerts at 90, 60, 30, and 7 days before your MCS-150 deadline
• Direct filing links to the FMCSA portal
• Complete compliance calendar covering MCS-150, UCR, IFTA, IRP, Form 2290, and more
• Audit-ready records so you always know your compliance status at a glance