What does “inoperable” refer to in the context of a vehicle?

In the context of vehicles, "inoperable" primarily refers to a vehicle that will not start, which denotes that the vehicle is unable to perform its intended function of transportation. This condition disqualifies the vehicle from being operational on public roadways and signifies that it is not fit for use until repaired.

While a vehicle with a flat tire, one that is unsafe to drive, or one that is missing parts may also not be operational, these conditions can sometimes be resolved without rendering the vehicle "inoperable" in a broad sense. For instance, a flat tire can be fixed, and a vehicle missing parts may still function if not critical components are absent. However, if a vehicle simply will not start, it is unequivocally inoperable regardless of its external conditions or the specific repairs that might be required later on. Thus, the condition of not starting aligns directly with the legal and operational definition of "inoperable" in Texas code enforcement.