| Present Serviceability Rating (P.S.R.) | Rating | Description |
| 4.0 - 5.0 | Excellent | Only new (or nearly new) superior pavements are likely to be smooth enough and distress free (sufficiently free of cracks and patches) to qualify for this category. Most pavements constructed or resurfaced during the data year would generally be rated in this category. |
| 3.0 - 4.0 | Good | Pavements in this category, although not quite as smooth as those described above, give a first-class ride and exhibit few, if any, visible signs of surface deterioration. Flexible pavements may be beginning to show evidence of rutting and fine random cracks. Rigid pavements may be beginning to show evidence of slight surface deterioration, such as minor cracking and spalls. |
| 2.0 - 3.0 | Fair | The riding qualities of pavements in this category are noticeably inferior to those of the new pavements and may be barely tolerable for high-speed traffic. Surface defects of flexible pavements may include rutting, map cracking, and extensive patching. Rigid pavements may have a few joint fractures, faulting and cracking, and some pumping. |
| 1.0 - 2.0 | Poor | Pavements have deteriorated to such an extent that they affect the speed of free-flow traffic. Flexible pavement may have significant potholes and deep cracks. Distress includes ravelling, cracking, and rutting and occurs over 50 per cent or more of the surface. Rigid pavement distress includes joint spalling, faulting, patching, cracking, and scaling and may include pumping and faulting. |
| 0 - 1 | Very poor | Pavements are in extremely deteriorated conditions. The facility is passable only at reduced speed and considerable ride discomfort. Large potholes and deep cracks exist. Distress occurs over 75 per cent or more of the surface |