What is PAS 2161?

PAS 2161 is a UK Specification introduced by the Department for Transport that defines a consistent, evidence-based approach to identifying, measuring and reporting road surface defects.

Designed to standardise how potholes and other carriageway issues are assessed, PAS 2161 helps local authorities and contractors apply clear criteria when determining defect severity, risk level and maintenance priority.

By aligning inspections and reporting with PAS 2161, highway teams can ensure greater transparency, improve consistency in decision-making, and maintain a robust audit trail to support compliance and claims defence.