nondrivable

Nondrivable is an adjective used to describe something that cannot be driven by motor vehicle. It is commonly applied to roads, surfaces, or routes that are not suitable or allowed for vehicular travel, as well as to vehicles that are not operable or not intended to be driven. The term is used across transportation planning, mapping, and vehicle maintenance contexts.

In infrastructure and transportation, nondrivable surfaces or routes include pedestrian areas, exclusive bicycle paths, pedestrianized town centers, closed or derelict roads, and areas with barriers or legal restrictions that prohibit motor vehicle access. Conditions such as severe damage, construction, flooding, or hazardous terrain can also render a road or path nondrivable, either temporarily or permanently.

In vehicle and equipment contexts, nondrivable can refer to a vehicle that is inoperable or unsafe to drive due to mechanical failure, safety concerns, or legal restrictions. It may also describe a vehicle that has been decommissioned or stripped for parts, or a load-bearing surface that cannot support vehicle weight. In geographic information systems and digital maps, nondrivable is a common attribute indicating features that motor vehicles cannot or should not traverse, contrasting with drivable routes.

Etymology-wise, nondrivable combines the prefix non- with the adjective drivable, meaning not capable of being driven. The term is often interchangeable with undrivable, though usage can vary by region, industry, or data standard.