funny story... sorta...
so, I was going to get a new one... but apparently never got my renewal notice LAST AUGUST (2012)!!!! I've been running on expired tags since then.. I just happened to notice the day before the long 4th weekend... so, I rapidly went to the dmv the next day... they just sorta laughed, "last August????" not that I road a lot these last 11 months... but I was just like wow, no late notice, no turn in your tags notice... nothing, and had I not noticed it, I wouldn't have gotten a renewal for this year, because they dropped it out of their system (couldn't "renew" online, had to go in and have them add it back)....
lesson learned, don't wait for the mail notice for registration, it may never come!
