I guess it's up to Ray to decide how he'll handle it but when you consider the cost per ounce - that tag will be one of the costliest things on the car.
John... contact a DMV expert... AAA. quoted 604 in penalties, for California unregistered, since'04 no non op... One phone call, got me tags,for a blazing 216 dollars. Do some research, government gets enough , of your moolah...