Ricks Automotive Service

Clean Truck Check tester in Dos Palos, CA (Merced County).

Ricks Automotive Service appears on CARB's public list of credentialed Clean Truck Check testers. It lists OBD testing, smoke opacity (non-OBD) testing.

Location
16237 Folsom Ave, Dos Palos, CA 93620
County
Merced County
Phone
(209) 829-2729
Mobile testing
No (test at the shop)
OBD testing
Yes
Smoke opacity (non-OBD)
Yes
Motorhomes
No
Credentialed testers
1
Last verified

Call (209) 829-2729 Open in Google Maps

Before you call

  • Have your VIN, odometer reading and plate number ready.
  • Your vehicle must be registered in CTC-VIS and the annual compliance fee paid; the tester submits the result to CARB.
  • Ask for the price per vehicle. Typical published prices for an OBD test are $50–$135 per vehicle (see cost guide).

Which trucks Ricks Automotive Service can test

The test CARB requires depends on the engine's fuel and model year. Based on the services Ricks Automotive Service lists on CARB's tester list:

Your vehicleTest requiredThis tester
Diesel, model year 2013 or newerOBD scanYes
Alternative fuel (natural gas, propane), 2018 or newerOBD scanYes
Diesel, model year 2012 or older (no OBD)Smoke opacity test (SAE J1667) plus visual inspectionYes
California-registered motorhomeSame test as above by engine year, once a yearNot listed

If you need a tester at your yard, the nearest listed tester that offers mobile testing is Gerardo Garcia Moreno in Dos Palos, about 1 mile away. See listing.

Clean Truck Check testers in Merced County

Ricks Automotive Service is one of 40 testing businesses in Merced County on CARB's public tester list. 35 of them offer mobile testing and 12 do smoke opacity tests. In Dos Palos itself there are 4 listed businesses, 2 of them mobile. All testers in Merced County.

When your truck is due

Most trucks test twice a year, on a schedule tied to the DMV registration expiration date. CARB says OBD trucks move to four tests a year beginning October 2027. California-registered (non-commercial) motorhomes and agricultural vehicles test once a year. See the deadline guide. You can test up to 90 days before a deadline. Get a free email reminder before each one.

How to check a tester's credential

CARB publishes its Clean Truck Check tester list, where Ricks Automotive Service appears as of November 1, 2026. Listing there is optional, so a missing name does not always mean a tester is not credentialed. After the test, check that the passing result shows for your vehicle in CTC-VIS; that is what counts for compliance.

Frequently asked questions

Does Ricks Automotive Service offer mobile Clean Truck Check testing?

Not according to CARB's tester list; plan to bring the truck to the tester. The nearest listed mobile tester is Gerardo Garcia Moreno (about 1 mile).

Can Ricks Automotive Service test a 2012 or older diesel truck?

Yes. Ricks Automotive Service lists smoke opacity testing, the test CARB requires for diesel trucks of model year 2012 and older (no OBD). See OBD vs smoke opacity.

How much does Ricks Automotive Service charge for a Clean Truck Check?

Ricks Automotive Service has not published prices with us; call (209) 829-2729 for a quote. Published California prices are usually $50–$135 per vehicle for an OBD test and $190–$200 for a smoke opacity test, plus CARB's annual fee ($32.13 in 2026). See the cost guide.

Is Ricks Automotive Service a CARB-credentialed tester?

Ricks Automotive Service appears on CARB's public Clean Truck Check tester list, last checked November 1, 2026. Only credentialed testers can submit results to CARB; after the test, confirm the passing result shows for your vehicle in CTC-VIS.

Other testers near Dos Palos

Source: CARB's public Clean Truck Check tester list, last checked . Listing on CARB's list is optional for testers, so some credentialed testers are not shown. Services, hours and prices change; please confirm with the tester before you go. Something wrong? Send a correction.

Call (209) 829-2729