Is your CFI testing your knowledge? What it allowable inoperative equipment? And whether or not you can fly without electric flaps? In that case, it's time to head to CFAR part 91!. You'll find your answer there.
I will give you a hint however (sorry I am a CFI so I have to play the same silly head game). Flight with inoperative equipment is allowed provided that it does not violate three factors:
1. Certification requirements (did the manufacturer receive certification with the equipment deemed required "R" or optional "O" or additional "A"). The "R's, "O"'s and "A"'s are found in the equipment list of certified aircraft. RV's have none.
2. Regulatory requirements (good ol Part 91) - Is the equipment listed as day VFR required, night, IFR, etc.
3. Operational requirements (how you're flying the plane) - Are you flying VFR, IFR, Short field etc
Additionally, a PIC must make the decision that the aircraft is safe for flight, not withstanding any of the above factors.
Tony can correct my misstatements, but I think it is a little more complicated than he suggests. A quick look at a C172SP POH shows that flaps are not on the required equipment list, but neither are ailerons or elevators --- and they're not optional or additional either! But they do exist. So how should they be treated?
Of course, ailerons and elevator are required for safe flight, so the question is whether flaps are. The use of flaps is almost certainly called out in the emergency procedures, so whether or not you
intend to use flaps, I think the FAA would deem that flaps are required for the aircraft to be airworthy, unless there are alternate procedures to use if they are inoperative.
Indeed, all Master Minimum Equipment Lists contain a standard preamble with the statement, "The FAA approved MMEL includes those items of equipment related to airworthiness and operating regulations and other items of equipment which the Administrator finds may be inoperative and yet maintain an acceptable level of safety by appropriate conditions and limitations;
it does not contain obviously required items such as wings, flaps, and rudders."
I appreciate Tony not trying to give anything away here, but the FARs regarding minimum required equipment are notoriously confusing, and I think it's worth answering directly.
There is a good web page on the topic of operating with failed equipment
here.
As an aside, if the flap motor failed in flight, you would be required to report the incident to the NTSB "by the most expeditious means available", since flaps are part of the flight control system. (49 CFR 830.5)