Question about DMV's in California?

I need to renew an old registration for a car of mine. I have the money and insurrance for it. However, I need a smog check and I'm sure my car wont p. On top of that, it needs mechanical maintanance (it's a 91). My question is, what do I need to do to get a 30 permit (the red tags with a number on it) so that I can move it around and take care of all it's needs ? I was told I can only obtain a 1 day permit. I cn't do all those things in one day, including sitting at the DMV for more than 2 hours.