You will need to speak with someone at the North Carolina DMV to see if there are any other options than the one you were given of turning in your plates for 30 days. If that is the only penalty then you will have to abide by it to have your tags, and probably license as well, reinstated.

If your license is revoked as you stated, then you cannot drive your car legally at all. If your license has been reinstated, you still could not drive a vehicle without the valid license plate on your vehicle. A "fake" plate would likely you get pulled over by the police if spotted.

If you still need insurance for your vehicle start an auto insurance quote now.