[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 6]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR511.12]

[Page 36-37]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                   CHAPTER V--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC
                    SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT
                            OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 511_ADJUDICATIVE PROCEDURES--Table of Contents
 
       Subpart B_Pleadings; Form; Execution; Service of Documents
 
Sec.  511.12  Answer.

    (a) Time for filing. A respondent shall have twenty (20) days after 
service of a complaint within which to file an answer.
    (b) Content of answer. An answer shall conform to the following:
    (1) Request for hearing. Respondent shall state whether it requests 
a full, adjudicatory hearing or whether it desires to proceed on the 
basis of written submissions. If a hearing is requested, respondent 
shall specify those issues on which a hearing is desired.
    (2) Contested allegations. An answer in which the allegations of a 
complaint are contested shall contain:
    (i) Specific admission or denial of each allegation in the 
complaint. If the respondent is without knowledge or information 
sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of an allegation, respondent 
shall so state. Such a statement shall have the effect of a denial. 
Denials shall fairly meet the substance of the allegations denied. 
Allegations not thus answered shall be deemed to have been admitted.
    (ii) A concise statement of the factual and/or legal defenses to 
each allegation of the complaint.
    (3) Admitted allegations. If the respondent admits or fails to deny 
any

[[Page 37]]

factual allegation, he or she shall be deemed to have waived a hearing 
as to such allegation.
    (c) Default. Failure of the respondent to file an answer within the 
time provided (or within an extended time, if provided), shall be deemed 
to constitute a waiver of the right to appear and contest the 
allegations set forth in the complaint and to authorize the Presiding 
Officer to make such findings of fact as are reasonable under the 
circumstances.