New Inspection Procedures: Enhancing Compliance and Protecting Consumers
FMQ Program Update — Inspection Procedure Changes Coming to Your Industry
Effective Date: December 1, 2025
Contact: fmqtechinfo@tdlr.texas.gov
What’s Changing?
Beginning December 1, 2025, the FMQ Program will implement enhanced inspection procedures with risk-based inspections of fuel dispensers across Texas.
This change is part of our ongoing effort to:
- Detect and remove skimming devices
- Reduce fraud and protect consumers
- Support businesses with education-first compliance
- Ensure fuel dispensers are properly registered and maintained
Important Note: These inspection changes only impact credit card skimmer inspections and do not include any changes to motor fuel quality or quantity procedures, which remain unchanged.
Why It Matters
During recent skimmer-related complaint inspections, more than 20% of the devices encountered were unregistered. These findings highlight the need for expanded inspection coverage and proactive outreach to help businesses stay in compliance.
Our goal is not just enforcement, we’re here to help. When unregistered devices are found, our specialists work with merchants to resolve issues, avoid penalties, and prevent license delays.
What Are Risk-Based Inspections?
Risk-Based Inspections
Triggered by certain risk indicators, including:
- Receipt of a Request for Information (RFI) letter in the past year
- Repeated skimmer activity at the location – utilizing historical data and trend analysis
- Discovery of un-registered devices
- Operation without a current Device Performance Review (DPR)
- FCIC reports of credit card skimmer or organized criminal activity in an area
Intended Results
- Provide an opportunity to assist businesses proactively.
- Ensure devices meet registration, documentation (such as Device Performance Reviews), and accuracy requirements.
- Address common risk indicators on a regular schedule
- Proactively identify credit card skimmers to reduce harm to the public and to merchants
Specialists will also inspect other high-risk facilities within complaint zip codes or along travel routes when appropriate.
Benefits to Businesses
This updated inspection model helps businesses by:
- Building public trust—customers are less likely to be targeted by fraud at compliant facilities.
- Offering support with RFI responses and licensing questions.
- Giving owners a chance to resolve issues before fees or penalties occur.
- Supporting overall device accuracy and fair-trade practices.
What to Expect
- Program specialists will conduct at least one risk-based inspection per week in their assigned region.
- All inspections will be carried out in a fair, consistent, and objective manner based on the published criteria.
- You may be contacted for additional documentation (such as your DPR) or receive a visit based on prior inspection history.