When an application for renewal of registration of a vehicle has been made as required by Section 9706, the vehicle may be operated on the highways until the new certificate or insignia of current registration has been received from the department if there is displayed on the vehicle, in addition to the license plates or validating devices issued to the vehicle for the previous year, the certificate or insignia issued to the vehicle for the previous partial year.
Ca. Veh. Code § 9710