State laws and Department of Motor Vehicles protocols differ but in general most states DMVs will send notice when your license plate or registration is about to expire so that the owner will renew their tags on time.

Although most states do send notification of the expiring plate, most states also will note that if the car owner does not receive notification regarding the expiration of the plate and registration it is still their duty to renew it on time.

For example the Florida HSMV states that if a current motor vehicle record is on the data base, the information is pulled for a renewal notice to be provided. However, Florida Statutes do not require that DMV provide renewal notices for motor vehicle registration, all records are provided as a courtesy. Renewal notices are now provided for county tax collectors or private vendors to print renewal notices. A county may elect not to send a renewal notice to its residents. Even if a notice is printed, the notice may get lost in the mail.

To find out what your state's laws are on this subject contact your DMV.