There are some services that will take care of getting the tags for you. I don't know the names of any, but maybe you can find them. It's expensive but better than leaving your car sit. Maybe check out a used car dealership for help.

just a put a cardboard/paper in the rear window that says "tag applied for" insure the car with your insurance company and get on down the road.

We bought a used car from someone in MD this weekend but live in DC. The seller took the plates off. We contacted DMV and are only able to get an appointment to register the car in February. It now has no plates. Any idea what we are supposed to do?! We cannot get through to DMV at all.